Description
This Quick Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole combines the classic flavors of a sloppy joe sandwich with hearty pasta, all topped with melted cheese and baked to perfection. It’s an easy, comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz elbow macaroni or any short pasta
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sloppy joe mixture: In a large skillet or pan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Season the mixture: Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Assemble the casserole: In a large casserole dish (9×13 inches), combine the cooked pasta with the sloppy joe mixture. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add cheese topping: Top the casserole with shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
- Optional broiling: If you prefer a crispy top, you can broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of the baking time.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce to the sloppy joe mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Switch up the cheese combination based on your preferences, such as pepper jack or Monterey Jack.
