Description
Sloppy Joe Casserole turns a nostalgic favorite into baked, bubbly comfort. Saucy beef and melted cheese keep everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) sloppy joe sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup diced onions
- ¼ cup diced green bell peppers
Dry Ingredients and Binders:
- 1 package (8 oz) cornbread mix
- ½ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Crumble 1 lb ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into small pieces until no pink remains.
- Toss ½ cup diced onions and ¼ cup green bell peppers into the beef, sautéing until vegetables soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour 15 oz sloppy joe sauce into the skillet, then sprinkle 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Stir thoroughly.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish.
- Scatter 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese directly over the beef layer.
- Whisk 1 large egg and ½ cup milk into the cornbread mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Gently pour cornbread batter across the beef and cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, until cornbread turns golden and a toothpick emerges clean.
- Allow the casserole to rest 5 minutes before serving to help it set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the ground beef after browning to prevent a greasy casserole.
- Chop the onions and peppers into small, uniform pieces so they cook evenly and distribute well throughout the dish.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of cayenne pepper or use a hot sloppy joe sauce to kick up the heat.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter or vegetarian alternative that still packs tons of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg