Skip the bun in this Sloppy Joe Casserole made with pasta, a saucy ground beef mixture, and shredded cheese. You’ll enjoy all of the incredible flavors of a sloppy joe sandwich in casserole form for an easy weeknight meal the whole family will love!
Everyone enjoys a hearty casserole and it’s the easiest way to serve dinner to a hungry crowd! If you’re looking for more casserole recipes to try, this chicken parmesan casserole is one of my favorites!
My kids love pasta and they will never say no to a saucy and cheesy pasta dish! When I make a pasta casserole, I know I will be able to please all the kids. This sloppy Joe casserole is a fun twist on the nostalgic childhood favorite! The traditional sandwich gets a makeover with the addition of pasta baked into a comforting, flavorful casserole.
This is the perfect dish to make for your family because both kids and adults can’t get enough! It tastes amazing, and it’s less messy than a real sloppy joe! My kids also love this Simple Spaghetti Casserole and this butternut squash mac and cheese that I make all the time.
Ingredients needed
Flavorful beef, tomato sauce, noodles, and plenty of cheese come together for the most amazing meal! You’ll find the exact measurements of each ingredient in the recipe card below.
- Pasta: I like to use whole wheat or protein pasta for more nutritional benefits.
- Ground beef: Use lean ground beef for less fat.
- Onion & garlic: Sweet onion and freshly minced garlic are sautéed with the ground beef for a complex flavor.
- Tomato sauce: For that classic tomato-y flavor we love.
- Ketchup: You can use sugar-free spicy ketchup or classic ketchup for a touch of tanginess to the sauce.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a punch of flavor to the sauce.
- Kosher salt & pepper: Brings out all of the delicious flavors.
- Cheddar cheese: The shredded cheddar cheese gets bubbly and melty as the casserole cooks, which is enough to take this dish to the next level.
Variations and substitutions
This recipe is easy to switch up and make according to your taste preference. Here are some ideas for simple ingredient swaps to change things up:
- Noodles: Any short pasta like rotini, penne, small shells, or fusilli works great for this recipe.
- Protein: Instead of ground beef, feel free to use ground turkey, Italian sausage or ground chicken.
- Add vegetables: If you’re trying to add more veggies to your diet, try stirring sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or carrots into the meat mixture.
- Cheese: Swap out the cheddar for another variety that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or mozzarella cheese.
How to make sloppy Joe casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
Cook the pasta in salted water according to package timing. Once done, reserve 1 cup of water then drain the pasta and place in a baking dish. Cook the beef in a deep skillet over medium heat. Once no longer pink, stir in the onion and garlic. Continue to cook until it starts to brown.
Step 2: Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Add in the pasta water and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Pour this sauce over the pasta in the baking dish. Spread the sauce evenly over the pasta.
Step 4: Top with shredded cheese and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
