Sloppy Joe Casserole

Sloppy Joe casseroles are where. It’s. AT. Cozy? Check! Meaty? Check! Buttery carbs and cheese? Check and check! This hearty casserole has plenty of peppers and onions, lots of sauce, and so much flavor too. Being on Team Casserole doesn’t stop me from appreciating the iconic sloppy Joe sandwich as a pasta sauce or a cheesy meatball bake, it just gives me more ways to celebrate the combination of ground beef and tangy sauce. More than just delicious, this casserole is flexible, freezable, and ready to serve on a busy weeknight for dinner. Here’s how to make it your own:

How To Make Sloppy Joe Casserole

INGREDIENTS

• Ground Beef: Ground beef is classic here, but you can whip this up with whatever ground meat you have on hand. Ground pork and bulk sweet or hot Italian sausage can be a straight swap for the usual beef. Using ground turkey or ground chicken? You will need to add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet along with the peppers, onions, and garlic. Using something plant-based? Cook the veggies first, then add the faux meat to quickly brown before stirring in the spices.
• Yellow Onion, Bell Peppers & Garlic: Yellow onion, bell peppers, and garlic start off the sauce cooking process. I like to use a red and green bell pepper, but you can use any two varieties (or just one!) that you desire.
• The Sauce: Just like in our classic sloppy Joes recipe, this casserole is all about the sauce. I create this one by combining ketchup, chili powder, dried mustard, tomato sauce, broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and dark brown sugar. You’ve got a few options to shake things up here. You can use beef or chicken broth, just make sure whatever you choose is low sodium. If you like your sauce with a bit more heat, feel free to add a few dashes of hot sauce to taste.
• Hawaiian Roll Sliders: Instead of hamburger buns, fluffy and sweet Hawaiian Roll sliders are added on top of our filling in this recipe. Brushed with butter, the top of the sliders get golden and irresistible.
• Cheese: A cheesy top is a must. Use shredded Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, mozzarella, or provolone if you don’t have cheddar on hand.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Before we get started on the sauce (the major player), we need to prepare the ground beef. Cook your beef in a pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until it’s no longer pink and fully cooked through, then grab a slotted spoon. Transfer the ground beef to a plate, then pour off almost all of the leftover fat, but not all of it! We’re going to use the rest of it to cook our sauce ingredients in, giving even more rich flavor.

Then, add your veggies to the same pan with the beef fat, and cook them down until they’re softened and the onions are translucent. Before adding your ketchup, season your vegetables with a bit of salt and pepper. You don’t need to go crazy here since our sauce packs in so much flavor, but you want your veggies to be adequately seasoned. Add in your ketchup, then cook it down (stirring it occasionally!), until the sauce has been reduced to a thick paste. Then add in your seasonings, and stir everything together until it’s fragrant and your kitchen smells incredible.

Add in your tomato sauce, broth, vinegar, Worcestershire, and brown sugar to your pan, and cook it all together, stirring everything together. Add your ground beef back in, and if you’re feeling like adding some heat, throw in a few dashes of hot sauce.

Once your sloppy Joe mixture is all combined, transfer it to your prepared baking dish. Then, top it with your rolls in lines (the cut sides facing down). You'll use both sides of the halves. The bottoms won't be as pretty as the tops, but they'll still taste just as good! Add the finishing touches (brushing on butter and shredded cheese), then cook until the rolls are golden brown and toasted and the cheese is toasted.

Once our casserole is melty, golden, and delicious, sprinkle with some fresh parsley (if you so desire), and get to serving!

Full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Make Ahead

The sloppy Joe filling will keep in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw the filling, if frozen, then reheat in the microwave until warm. Transfer the hot filling to the baking dish and pick up with the recipe on step 4.

What To Serve With Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Baked Beans: Baked beans are a classic side for the sandwich, so why not pair it with this casserole?
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a comfort food all on their own, so they make perfect sense paired with this comforting casserole.
• Macaroni Salad: Preparing this casserole for a potluck? Mac salad never disappoints at the function.