Sloppy Joe Casserole
Sloppy Joe Casserole is everything we love about comfort food—hearty, flavorful, and satisfying.
This recipe combines the sweet and savory goodness of classic Sloppy Joe flavors with the golden, flaky topping of buttery biscuits.
It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner that comes together easily with simple ingredients. With ground beef, Colby Jack cheese, and a savory sauce, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for family dinners or potlucks.
The layer of biscuits baked to perfection on top makes it irresistible. Whether you’re feeding a family or planning leftovers, this casserole will earn a permanent spot on your meal rotation.
Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe Highlights
- Ready in just over an hour, with only 20 minutes of prep.
- Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
- Uses pantry staples like ketchup and mustard for a quick, flavorful sauce.
- Topped with golden, flaky biscuits and melted cheese.
- Easy to store, reheat, and enjoy as leftovers.
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
BEEF – I use lean ground beef because it cooks up with less grease, which means less mess and a cleaner, more flavorful dish. If you prefer a lighter option, ground turkey or chicken work well, but keep in mind that they can be slightly less rich. For the best flavor, season the meat as it browns to lock in its natural juices.
VEGETABLES – This recipe calls for diced bell peppers and onion, which add flavor, color, and texture. Use red, green, yellow, or orange peppers depending on your preference; each adds a slightly different sweetness or sharpness. For the onion, a yellow onion provides the perfect balance of sweetness and bite, but a white or red onion can be substituted. Chop the vegetables into small, even pieces to ensure they cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the dish.
BROTH – Low-sodium beef broth is ideal here, as it enhances the sauce’s depth without overwhelming it with salt. If you’re out of beef broth, you can use chicken broth or even water mixed with a little bouillon powder for a similar effect.
SAUCES – Ketchup and tomato paste create the sweet and tangy base of the sauce. The ketchup adds sweetness and a hint of vinegar, while the tomato paste provides a concentrated tomato flavor that thickens the mixture. If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the ketchup slightly and add a splash of red wine vinegar for balance.
SEASONING – Yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce are the secret ingredients here, adding a zesty tang and deep umami flavor. Garlic powder rounds out the flavor profile with a subtle but essential aromatic note. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder for a little extra kick.
CHEESE – Colby Jack cheese melts beautifully, creating a creamy, cheesy layer that ties the dish together. You can substitute cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for a different flavor profile. Always shred your cheese from a block if possible—it melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
BISCUITS – I use a can of ready-to-bake biscuits for convenience, and they bake up golden and flaky on top of the casserole. For a homemade touch, you can use your favorite biscuit dough recipe. When cutting the biscuits into quarters, try to keep the pieces roughly the same size to ensure they bake evenly. If you want extra flavor, brush the top of the biscuits with a little melted butter before baking.
How To Make A Sloppy Joe Casserole
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Cook ground beef with salt and pepper, then add diced bell peppers and onion until tender.
- Stir in ketchup, broth, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder; simmer until thickened.
- Layer the beef mixture in a baking dish, top with half the cheese, then add quartered biscuits and the remaining cheese.
- Bake at 350º Fahrenheit for 25–30 minutes until biscuits are golden and cooked through.
Leftovers and Storage
STORE – Transfer leftovers to an airtight container once the casserole has cooled. Refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain the best flavor and texture. If you’re storing portions, use smaller containers for convenience when reheating.
FREEZE – Portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers to make reheating easy. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring the containers are tightly sealed to avoid freezer burn. To prepare for serving, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator for even defrosting.
REHEAT – For single servings, use the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring gently to avoid drying out. To reheat the entire casserole, cover it with foil to keep the biscuits from overbrowning and bake at 350º Fahrenheit until warmed through, typically 20–25 minutes.
MAKE AHEAD – Cook the beef and sauce mixture up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, layer the cold mixture with cheese and biscuits just before placing it in the oven to ensure the biscuits bake evenly.
Serving Suggestions
CHOPPED TOMATO SALAD – A simple side of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette adds freshness.
CARROTS – Sweet and savory roasted carrots pair beautifully with the rich flavors of the casserole.
OATMEAL DINNER ROLLS – Soft and fluffy, these rolls are perfect for scooping up the saucy goodness.
CREAMY COLESLAW – The tanginess of coleslaw complements the savory casserole perfectly.
GREEN BEANS – A delicious vegetable side to balance the meal.
More Easy and Delicious Beef Casseroles
Recipe Success Tips
DRAIN THE GREASE THOROUGHLY – After browning the beef, use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels or tilt the skillet to pour off excess grease. Removing as much grease as possible prevents the casserole from becoming overly oily and keeps the flavors balanced.
CUT BISCUITS UNIFORMLY – Quarter the biscuits into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook at the same rate. Uneven pieces may result in some being undercooked while others are overdone. For extra precision, use a small knife or kitchen shears and place them in a single layer on top of the casserole.
USE FRESHLY SHREDDED CHEESE – Skip pre-shredded cheese, as it’s often coated with anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grate Colby Jack cheese directly from the block for a creamy, even melt that binds the casserole beautifully.
SIMMER FOR FLAVOR AND THICKNESS – Once you add the sauce ingredients, let the mixture simmer uncovered for 5–7 minutes. This step not only thickens the sauce but also allows the flavors to meld together, creating a richer and more cohesive base for the casserole. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.
ENSURE BISCUITS ARE FULLY COOKED – To check if the biscuits are cooked through, gently lift one with a fork and inspect the bottom for doneness. If they’re still doughy underneath, loosely cover the casserole with foil and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes to prevent over-browning while the inside cooks thoroughly.
Commonly Asked Questions
What is a Sloppy Joe?
A Sloppy Joe is typically composed of loose, ground beef in a tomato-based sauce that is served on a hamburger bun.
More Easy Ground Beef Recipes
Korean Beef Bowl – Ground Beef Bulgogi
Frikadellen – easy German recipes
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef lean
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large bell pepper diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup beef broth low sodium
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese shredded
- 1 16-ounce can biscuits
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13” casserole dish.
- In a large skillet, brown and crumble the ground beef over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Season the beef with salt and pepper. Add the diced bell peppers and onion and continue cooking until the beef is cooked through and the onions are translucent. About 3-5 minutes.
- Add the ketchup, beef broth, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder to the beef. Stir until combined and let simmer for 5 minutes.
- Use a knife to cut the biscuits into quarters.
- Transfer the beef and sauce mixture to the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the beef. Place the quartered biscuits over the shredded cheese in an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the biscuits are cooked through and golden brown.
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.