Craving comfort food with a twist? This ultimate Sloppy Joe casserole combines all-time favorites into one delicious dish. With hearty Sloppy Joe filling, crispy tater tots, and irresistibly cheesy Cheddar Bay biscuits, this recipe is perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Get ready to dig into layers of flavor and cheesy goodness!
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and gather all necessary ingredients.
- In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the penne pasta until it is al dente. Drain the pasta once cooked.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, crumble it, and cook until it’s no longer pink, which should take around 5 minutes.
- Stir in the chopped onion, red and green bell peppers, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to the mixture. Bring this to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until it thickens slightly, around 5 minutes.
- Remove the Dutch oven from heat and stir in the drained pasta, frozen corn, and 3/4 cup of shredded Colby-Jack cheese.
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Transfer the beef and pasta mixture into the dish and evenly sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven until it is heated through and the cheese has melted, roughly 20 minutes.
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
- 1½ cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese, divided
- Cooking spray
Nutritional Values
Calories: 4266 | Total Fat: 199g | Saturated Fat: 84g | Cholesterol: 762mg | Sodium: 10608mg | Total Carbohydrate: 354g | Dietary Fiber: 42g | Total Sugars: 114g | Protein: 282g | Vitamin C: 378mg | Calcium: 1758mg | Iron: 42mg | Potassium: 8046mg
FAQ
- How should I store leftover Sloppy Joe casserole?
- Leftover Sloppy Joe casserole can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to four days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to three months.
- Can I prepare parts of the Sloppy Joe casserole in advance?
- Yes, you can prepare the pasta up to three days in advance and store it in the refrigerator with a bit of oil. Additionally, the filling can be made up to four days early and refrigerated; just bring it to room temperature before baking.
- What are some ingredient substitutions I can make?
- You can replace green bell peppers with red bell peppers, and swap lean ground beef with ground turkey or ground sirloin. These changes can be made without significantly altering the flavor.
- Is there a way to make the dish less sweet?
- If you find the casserole a bit too sweet, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar in the recipe according to your preference.
- What can I serve with Sloppy Joe casserole?
- Sloppy Joe casserole pairs well with garlic bread or a side salad, providing a balanced meal with different textures and flavors.
Tips
- To prevent any spills in your oven, place the casserole dish on a rimmed baking sheet before baking.
- If you’re short on time, cook the pasta and refrigerate it with a little oil up to three days before you plan to make the casserole.
- Prepare the filling up to four days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Feel free to customize the recipe by using red bell peppers instead of green ones, or swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or sirloin for a different flavor profile.
Equipment
- Dutch Oven – for cooking the beef and vegetables.
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish – for baking the casserole.
