My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe
If you are searching for a meal that brings together comforting flavors, ease of preparation, and guaranteed smiles at the dinner table, then you must try My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole. This recipe takes the classic sloppy joe to a whole new level by combining savory ground beef, gooey cheeses, and tender pasta all baked into one delicious casserole. It’s the perfect dish to satisfy hungry kids (and adults too!) while requiring minimal fuss and delivering maximum flavor. Once you make it, it will quickly become a go-to family favorite on busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole lies in its simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each element adds its own layer of taste, texture, or color that harmonizes beautifully in the finished dish.
- Ground beef (80/20): Provides rich, savory flavor and a hearty base for the casserole.
- Pasta (1 pound, your choice): Acts as the comforting carb that soaks up all those delicious sloppy joe juices.
- Vegetable broth (4 cups): Cooks the pasta right in the sauce, adding depth without extra fat.
- Sloppy Joe sauce (24 ounces or homemade): The star sauce delivering tangy, sweet, and zesty notes.
- Corn (1 cup): Adds a touch of natural sweetness and a pop of color.
- Velveeta shreds (8 ounces): Melts smoothly to create that irresistibly creamy texture.
- Cheddar cheese (1 cup shredded): Gives the casserole a sharp, melty finishing touch on top.
- Ketchup (1⅓ cup): Adds sweetness and tang to enhance the sauce complexity.
- Water (⅔ cup): Helps balance the sauce consistency for perfect cooking.
- Tomato paste (4 tablespoons): Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- Yellow mustard (1 tablespoon): Brings a subtle zing that wakes up the flavor profile.
- Garlic powder (2 teaspoons): Infuses a warm, aromatic note throughout the dish.
- Chili powder (2 teaspoons): Adds a mild kick and depth to the savory meat sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce (2 teaspoons): Boosts umami and balances the sweetness with a slight tang.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the natural flavors to perfection.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Provides a gentle heat and seasoning balance.
- Red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon): Adds just a hint of warmth without overwhelming kids’ palates.
How to Make My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Brown the Beef
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F so it’s ready when you finish prepping. While it warms up, place your ground beef in a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it’s no longer pink—this usually takes about 7 minutes. Don’t forget to drain any excess grease to keep the casserole from getting too oily. This step builds the meaty foundation packed with flavor crucial to My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole.
Step 2: Combine Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
Once your beef is browned and drained, add the uncooked pasta, vegetable broth, and your choice of Sloppy Joe sauce—either store-bought or homemade (using the ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, garlic powder, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes). Mix in the corn for a bit of sweetness and stir everything together. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the pasta to soften as it absorbs the bold, tangy flavors of the sauce, creating that irresistible sloppy joe taste in every bite.
Step 3: Add Velveeta and Transfer to Baking Dish
Now comes the magic moment where creamy meets cheesy. Stir in the Velveeta shreds until they melt smoothly into the hot mixture, ensuring each spoonful will be decadently cheesy. Then transfer all of it into a 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top evenly. This layering creates the perfect base for your cheesy topping and ensures a warm, gooey casserole experience.
Step 4: Top with Cheddar and Bake
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top. This extra cheese layer not only adds vibrant color but also creates a wonderfully melty, golden crust as it bakes. Place the casserole in your preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender to your liking. This final step brings everything together in a bubbly, comforting casserole that’s sure to please hungry kids and adults alike.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
For a little fresh flair, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top as an optional garnish. It brightens the presentation and adds a subtle herbal note that complements the richness of the casserole perfectly. Now, serve it up and watch it disappear almost as quickly as you made it!
How to Serve My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives brightens up the dish beautifully and adds a slight freshness that balances the rich flavors. You could also offer grated Parmesan or a few dashes of hot sauce on the side for those who like to customize their meal.
Side Dishes
Simple sides like a crisp green salad, steamed broccoli, or carrot sticks pair wonderfully with this hearty casserole. They add crunch and nutrients, making the meal well-rounded and colorful without overshadowing the star of the show.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole in individual ramekins for a cute, personalized touch at family dinners. Alternatively, place spoonfuls atop toasted buns or in soft tortillas to turn it back into sloppy joes with a cheesy twist. Kids love options, and these serve-it-up-your-way ideas are sure winners.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover casserole should be cooled completely before storing in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, allowing you to easily reheat and enjoy without any loss of flavor or texture.
Freezing
You can freeze leftovers or even prepare the casserole entirely ahead of time, unbaked. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking for best results.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through. For larger portions, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes to revive that fresh-baked texture and gooey cheesiness.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils and use a vegetarian sloppy joe sauce. You might want to add extra seasoning to keep the flavor punch vibrant.
What type of pasta works best?
Any short pasta like elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells works perfectly because they hold the sauce well and bake nicely without getting mushy.
Can I use homemade sloppy joe sauce?
Yes! You can mix ketchup, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and spices as per the recipe to create a fresh, tangy sauce that tastes even better than store-bought.
Is this casserole kid-friendly in terms of spice?
Absolutely—it has a mild heat with just a hint of red pepper flakes, which is usually well tolerated by kids. Adjust the chili powder and pepper flakes if your kids prefer it milder or more spicy.
How long does it take to make the casserole from start to finish?
This casserole comes together in about 35 to 40 minutes including baking time, making it an ideal quick and easy dinner for busy families.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole. It’s a cozy, cheesy, flavorful meal that brings comfort and smiles into any household. Whether you’re feeding little picky eaters or a big hungry crowd, this dish delivers warmth and satisfaction with every scrumptious bite. Give it a try soon—you just might find it’s your new favorite weeknight dinner too!
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My Kids’ Favorite Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This comforting and kid-friendly Sloppy Joe Casserole combines the classic flavors of Sloppy Joes with cheesy pasta, making it a hearty and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Meat and Pasta
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 pound pasta (your choice)
Liquids and Sauce
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 24 ounces Sloppy Joe sauce (or homemade sauce – see below)
- 1⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅔ cup water
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup corn
- 8 ounces Velveeta shreds
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Optional Garnish
- Parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s fully heated when your casserole is ready to bake.
- Sauté Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef for approximately 7 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess grease to keep the dish from being too oily.
- Add Pasta, Broth, Sauce, and Corn: To the cooked beef, add 1 pound of uncooked pasta, 4 cups vegetable broth, 24 ounces of Sloppy Joe sauce (or combine the homemade sauce ingredients: ketchup, water, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes), and 1 cup of corn. Stir well.
- Simmer Pasta Mixture: Cook the mixture for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Incorporate Velveeta Cheese: Stir in 8 ounces of Velveeta shreds until the cheese is thoroughly melted and blended with the pasta mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the cheesy beef and pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheddar Topping: Evenly sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly and the pasta is fully cooked to your liking.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped parsley over the casserole before serving to add a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you like, though medium shapes like rotini or elbow macaroni work well.
- For a homemade Sloppy Joe sauce, mix ketchup, water, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes as per the ingredient amounts listed.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, increase the red pepper flakes slightly.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- If you want a lower-fat version, substitute lean ground beef and reduce the cheese quantity or use lower-fat cheese options.
- Adding vegetables like diced bell peppers or onions can enhance the flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole, Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Sloppy Joe Casserole, cheesy pasta casserole, kid-friendly dinner, ground beef casserole, easy weeknight meal
