Description
This Sloppy Joe Casserole is an easy, hearty, and comforting dish made with ground beef, tender bowtie pasta, and a cheesy topping, all baked to perfection. It’s a simple yet tasty dinner idea for the entire family.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
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- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pasta and Cheese
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- 8 ounces dry bowtie pasta (1/2 box)
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into small pieces and divided (1 block)
- 8 ounces Colby jack cheese, freshly grated and divided
Optional Garnish
- Freshly chopped green onions or chives
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat oven to 375°F and set aside a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the onion: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, then add the diced onion and cook until translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute or until it becomes fragrant.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, crumble it, and cook until it turns a dark brown color and is fully cooked through.
- Mix ingredients for sauce: In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Then, add it to the cooked beef and stir to combine.
- Let the beef mixture simmer: Allow the beef and sauce mixture to simmer for a few minutes before spooning it into a bowl and setting it aside for later.
- Prepare the broth: Wipe out the pan and pour in the chicken broth. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook pasta: Add the bowtie pasta to the boiling broth and cook it according to the instructions on the package (just less than al dente).
- Combine beef and cheese: Add the cooked beef back to the pan with the cooked pasta, then mix in 12 ounces of the Velveeta cheese and half of the grated Colby jack cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Cut the remaining Velveeta cheese into small pieces and sprinkle them on top, along with the remaining grated Colby jack cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with non-stick foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for another 10 minutes or until the edges start to crisp up and turn a dark brown color.
- Cool and serve: Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or chives if desired.
Notes
- Cook the pasta just less than al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Feel free to add in extra veggies—mushrooms and bell peppers are great additions!
- To make ahead, assemble the casserole through step 11, then cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Once ready to bake, let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes, then cover and bake according to the recipe.
- Storage: Store sloppy joe casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
