Ah, “Sloppy Joe Casserole” — basically a deconstructed, baked version of the classic Sloppy Joe sandwich. Instead of putting the meat mixture on a bun, everything gets layered or mixed in a casserole dish and baked, often with cheese, potatoes, or pasta. Here’s a solid, easy recipe you can try:
Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4–6):
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups cooked pasta (elbow macaroni works well) or diced potatoes, cooked
- 1–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: pickles, chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened (3–5 minutes).
- Make the Sloppy Joe sauce:
- Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 5–10 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Combine with pasta or potatoes:
- If using pasta, mix the cooked pasta into the meat sauce.
- If using potatoes, layer the meat sauce over the cooked potatoes in the casserole dish.
- Add cheese:
- Sprinkle 1–1½ cups of shredded cheddar over the top.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Optional: top with pickles, green onions, or extra cheese.
This casserole is great because it keeps the comforting Sloppy Joe flavors but makes it more hearty and easier to serve a crowd.
If you want, I can also give you a cheesy, extra “ooey-gooey” version that layers even more cheese and sauce for maximum comfort-food vibes. Do you want me to do that?
