The Best Sloppy Joe Casserole – 4 Easy Steps

Introduction

Craving a comforting and satisfying meal? Look no further than this delicious sloppy joe casserole! This recipe transforms the classic sandwich filling into an easy-to-assemble, crowd-pleasing casserole that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family. For another easy and comforting dish, try this Crockpot Mac and Cheese.

Why You’ll Love This Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe

• It’s incredibly easy to make, even on busy weeknights.
• This sloppy joe casserole is hearty and satisfying, making it a complete meal.
• You’ll have flavorful, delicious results that everyone will love.
• It’s great for meal prep; make it ahead for an easy dinner during the week.
• Leftovers taste just as good, making it perfect for lunch the next day.

Ingredients

This sloppy joe casserole is built with simple ingredients you can find in most grocery stores. You’ll need potatoes, ground beef, some veggies, and a tangy sauce to bring it all together.

• 2 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
• 4 smashed garlic cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil
• ½ medium yellow onion, diced (1 cup)
• ½ medium bell pepper, any color, diced (1 cup)
• 2 pounds lean ground beef (we use 93/7)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons yellow or Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Notes & Substitutions

• For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef in this sloppy joe tater tot casserole.
• Add a layer of shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese on top of the potatoes for an extra cheesy dish (about 1-2 cups).
• Substitute with red potatoes for a slightly sweeter taste and creamier texture.
• If you don’t have coconut aminos, you can use tamari or soy sauce (use half the amount and add water until you reach the right consistency).

Equipment

• Large pot for boiling potatoes
• Large oven-safe skillet (12-inch)
• Potato masher or handheld mixer

If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the sloppy joe mixture to a casserole dish after cooking it on the stovetop. For another recipe that uses an oven-safe skillet, consider this recipe for Oven Baked Chicken Thighs.

How To Make Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe

Follow these simple instructions to create a hearty and delicious sloppy joe casserole. Each step is designed to be easy to follow, perfect for beginner cooks.

Instructions for Mashed Potatoes

1. To a large pot add the potatoes, garlic cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add enough water to cover the potatoes by 1-2 inches.
2. Bring to a boil, then decrease the heat just enough to prevent the water from boiling over.
3. Cook until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a sharp knife, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Drain the potatoes and reserve ⅓ cup of the cooking water in the pot with the potatoes.
5. Mash with a potato masher or handheld mixer until the potatoes are mashed, light, and fluffy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions for Sloppy Joe Mixture

1. While the potatoes are boiling, preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
3. When the skillet is hot, add the oil, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion starts to soften, 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the beef and 3 cloves garlic to the veggies in the skillet, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
5. To ensure food safety, ground beef should be cooked to a specific internal temperature. According to the USDA, ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
6. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and almost cooked through, 10-12 minutes.
7. To the skillet, add the tomato paste, water, mustard, coconut aminos, vinegar, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper.
8. Stir well to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, 5-7 minutes.

Assembling the Sloppy Joe Casserole

1. Spoon the mashed potatoes over the sloppy joe mixture in the skillet, dolloping the mashed potatoes in evenly-spaced mounds.
2. Use a spatula to spread the potatoes to cover all but the very edge of the meat mixture.
3. Bake in the oven until hot and the edges are bubbling, 10 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Pro Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Be careful not to overcook the mashed potatoes; otherwise, they can become gummy.
• Ensure you spread the potato topping evenly over the meat mixture for uniform baking.
• Adjust the seasonings in the sloppy joe sauce to your personal taste. If you’re looking for more ground beef recipes, you might enjoy this Ground Beef and Broccoli Recipe.

Common Mistakes

• Potatoes not cooked enough before mashing: Make sure potatoes are fork-tender before draining and mashing.
• Sauce too thin: Simmer the sauce for a few extra minutes to allow it to thicken.

Serving, Storing, and Variations

This sloppy joe casserole is fantastic on its own, but you can also add a garnish of fresh parsley or chives for added flavor and visual appeal.

• Serve with a side of steamed green beans or a crisp garden salad.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions.

Sloppy Joe Casserole Variations

• Add cheese to the potatoes for a cheesy potato topping.
• Use a sweet potato topping instead of regular potatoes for a hint of sweetness.
• Incorporate tater tots as a topping instead of mashed potatoes for a fun twist.

Nutrition Information

Enjoy this hearty sloppy joe tater tot casserole knowing that it provides a good balance of protein and carbohydrates.

Sloppy Joe Cassrole Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This sloppy joe casserole recipe offers a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic flavor combination in a new and exciting format. With its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, it’s the perfect dish to bring comfort and satisfaction to your dinner table. Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to rate it below!

The Best Sloppy Joe Casserole – 4 Easy Steps

This comforting Sloppy Joe Casserole features a savory ground beef and vegetable mixture topped with fluffy mashed potatoes, baked until bubbling and golden. It’s a hearty and satisfying one-dish meal perfect for a family dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

• large pot
• Large oven-safe skillet
• Potato masher or handheld mixer
• spatula
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon

Ingredients

  

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Mashed Potatoes

• 2 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
• 4 smashed garlic cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons fine salt divided

Sloppy Joe Filling

• 2 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil
• ½ medium yellow onion diced (1 cup)
• ½ medium bell pepper, any color diced (1 cup)
• 2 pounds lean ground beef (we use 93/7)
• 3 garlic cloves minced (1 tablespoon)
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons yellow or Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Garnish (Optional)

• ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, chives, thyme, or a mix

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Combine potatoes, smashed garlic, and salt in a large pot, cover with water, and boil for 15-20 minutes until tender.
• While potatoes boil, preheat your oven to 375°F.

Sloppy Joe Filling

• Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté diced onion and bell pepper for 5-8 minutes until softened.
• Add ground beef and minced garlic to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables, breaking up the meat and cooking for 10-12 minutes until browned.
• Stir in tomato paste, water, mustard, coconut aminos, vinegar, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper; simmer for 5-7 minutes until beef is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.

Assembly & Bake

• Drain the cooked potatoes, reserving ⅓ cup of water, then mash them until light and fluffy, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
• Evenly spoon the mashed potatoes over the sloppy joe mixture in the skillet, spreading to cover the meat while leaving the edges exposed, then bake for 10 minutes until hot and bubbling.

Finishing Touches

• Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 40gFat: 25gSodium: 950mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7g

Keyword ground beef casserole, skillet casserole recipe, sloppy joe casserole, sloppy joe tater tot casserole, sloppy joes with mashed potatoes

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