Sloppy Joe Casserole takes all the classic flavors of a Sloppy Joe and pairs them with tender farfalle pasta for a hearty, one-dish dinner. It’s the ultimate comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, noodles coated in Manwich sauce, and a cheesy topping baked to bubbly perfection.
What Makes Sloppy Joe Casserole So Delicious?
Our easy Sloppy Joe Casserole recipe delivers all the nostalgia of a childhood favorite sandwich in a convenient, crowd-pleasing form. With a twist on the traditional sloppy joes, this meal is made with a meat mixture complete with Manwich sauce, Velveeta, and noodles. It bakes beneath a blanket of cheese instead of served between a bun!
The sloppy Joe mixture may resemble the filling from those handheld messy meals, but this revised bowtie pasta sloppy joe casserole recipe transforms it into a baked form of comfort food. The farfalle noodles not only add a whimsical touch, but also cradle the rich, savory sauce perfectly, so every bite is packed with hearty, cheesy flavor.
Ingredients for the Ultimate Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe
- Lean ground beef: You can substitute ground pork sausage for the ground beef or use ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.
- Yellow onion
- Manwich sauce: I used the Manwich Original brand for this recipe but feel free to substitute the Thick and Chunky or Bold Sloppy Joe sauce. You can also make your own homemade sloppy Joe sauce.
- Farfalle noodles: You can substitute penne or pasta shells for the bowtie noodles.
- Shredded Velveeta cheese: Cubed velveeta can be substituted for the shredded. It will just take longer to incorporate.
- Shredded Colby-jack cheese: I love using Colby jack cheese because it melts really well and pleases a lot of people. You can substitute it for shredded cheddar cheese or provolone if you prefer.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Brown The Beef: Brown the ground beef and onion on medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease, then return the beef and onions to the skillet or stock pot.
- Make The Meat Mixture: Add the Manwich sauce, cooked noodles, and the Velveeta to the meat. Stir to combine.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared 9×13 casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.
- Serve: Spoon into bowls and serve warm. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Casseroles
This sloppy joe casserole is a complete dinner on its own and doesn’t necessarily need a side. However, my coleslaw recipe, a side salad, and green vegetables, (like green beans or broccoli) will compliment this casserole well. You can also serve with it some freshly baked rolls or garlic bread.
Variations of Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Pick Your Pasta: Feel free to swap the farfalle with rotini, elbow macaroni, penne, or rigatoni. They are all great shapes to hold the rich sauce.
- Add Nutrients To The Noodles: For a boost of nutrients, feel free to add some veggies like red or green bell pepper, mushroom, zucchini, corn, and spinach.
- Serve It Spicy: Add a dash of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños to the sloppy joe mixture for added heat.
- Serve It Smoky: Mix in a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
- Make Your Own Manwich Sauce: A homemade sauce will deliver the tangy, sweet, and savory notes you love in Manwich, but with the added bonus of knowing exactly what’s in it! Combine ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and some salt and stir it into your beef mixture.
- Like Layers? Cover your casserole tater tots before baking and create a sloppy Joe tater tot casserole (similar to my Big Mac Tater Tot Casserole). Or add a layer of Bisquick mix on top like my Sloppy Joe Pie.
- Football Food: My Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread and Sloppy Joe Dip are great snacks for game day!
Tips for Perfecting Your Sloppy Joe Casserole
- Prepare The Pan: Spray your baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare The Pasta: Cook the pasta to al dente since it will continue to cook in the oven. This will prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Cover The Casserole: If the cheese topping browns too quickly, cover the casserole loosely with aluminum foil while baking.
- Garnish With Greens: For a pop of color, sprinkle some fresh parsley or sliced green onion on top before serving.
More Easy Casserole Recipes
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Sloppy Joe Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 24 oz can original Manwich sauce
- 15 oz can original Manwich sauce
- 12 oz pkg farfalle (bowtie) noodles cooked al dente
- 8 oz pkg shredded velveeta
- 8 oz pkg shredded colby-jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350*. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish and set it aside.
- Using a 4-5 quart heavy bottomed stock pot, brown the ground beef and diced onion on medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease, and return the browned ground beef and onions to the stock pot.
- Add the 2 cans of manwich sauce, the cooked bowtie noodles and the shredded velveeta. Stir the ingredients until well combined.
- Pour the Manwich casserole into the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
- Evenly sprinkle the 8 oz pkg shredded colby-jack on top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: Sloppy joe casserole makes for a great freezer meal, and can be stored for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: If reheating from the freezer it’s best to let the pasta thaw a bit before placing it in the microwave. If reheating from the fridge, simply pop the casserole in the microwave until it’s heated through.
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Can this be cooked in a crock pot?
can I make this the day before, store in fridge and bake the next day..
if so what would be the cook time?