Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this test kitchen-approved sloppy joe casserole recipe. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make it.

You'll need to follow these instructions for a delicious homemade sloppy joe casserole:

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 cups frozen yellow corn kernels
• 1 ½ cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese, divided
• Cooking spray

Directions

Step 1: Gather all your ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta.

Step 3: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook it, stirring often to crumble, until it's no longer pink (about 5 minutes).

Step 4: Stir in the chopped onion, bell peppers, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened (about 4 minutes).

Step 5: Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to the beef mixture. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 6: Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta, corn, and ¾ cup of shredded Colby-Jack cheese.

Step 7: Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the beef and pasta mixture into the prepared dish. Top it evenly with the remaining ¾ cup of cheese.

Step 8: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until it is heated through and the cheese is melted.

Step 9: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy your sloppy joe casserole!

How to Store Sloppy Joe Casserole

Store any leftover sloppy joe casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Alternatively, you can freeze the leftovers for up to three months.

Test Kitchen Tips

• Bake the casserole on a rimmed baking sheet to prevent any overflow during cooking.
• You can cook the pasta in advance and refrigerate it with a splash of oil for up to three days.
• The casserole filling can also be made ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before transferring it to a greased baking dish and continuing with the recipe.
• For variations, you can use a red bell pepper instead of green or substitute ground turkey or sirloin for the ground beef.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 711
• Total Fat: 33g (43% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 14g (68% DV)
• Cholesterol: 127mg (42% DV)
• Sodium: 1768mg (77% DV)
• Total Carbohydrates: 59g (22% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 7g (24% DV)
• Total Sugars: 19g
• Protein: 47g (94% DV)
• Vitamin C: 63mg (70% DV)
• Calcium: 293mg (23% DV)
• Iron: 7mg (40% DV)
• Potassium: 1341mg (29% DV)