Description
A hearty and comforting Sloppy Joe Casserole that combines the classic sloppy joe flavors with cheesy baked pasta. Ground beef cooked with onions, bell peppers, and a tangy tomato-based sauce is mixed with penne pasta and topped with melted cheddar and Colby Jack cheese for a family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ cups corn (frozen or drained from a can)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta (cooked according to package instructions)
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) to warm up while you prepare the casserole mixture.
- Cook the beef and vegetables: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, crumbling the beef as it browns, until the meat is fully cooked and vegetables are softened, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Make the sauce: To the cooked beef mixture, add diced tomatoes, ketchup, light brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and corn. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and black pepper, then taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Cook the pasta: While prepping the meat sauce, cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix the cooked pasta with the prepared meat sauce and half of the shredded Colby Jack and cheddar cheese.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, then serve hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content and help control grease in the dish.
- Frozen corn can be used directly; if canned, drain before adding.
- Adjust the amount of ketchup and brown sugar to control the sweetness of the sauce.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just extend baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the meat sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
