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Homemade Sloppy Joe Casserole turns my favorite handheld sandwich into a cozy baked pasta dish that bubbles with melted cheese. I love how everything mixes together in one pot before baking into a warm, comforting, and satisfying meal. It is the perfect recipe for busy nights and always a hit with my hungry family.

A spoonful of sloppy joe casserole being lifted from casserole dish.

This easy casserole recipe feels like the kind of comfort food that practically cooks itself. The Manwich sauce makes the meat mixture sweet and tangy, the Velveeta melts into the noodles like magic, and the Colby Jack bakes into a cozy blanket of cheese on top. It is a budget friendly dinner I can toss together fast, packed with all the classic sloppy joe flavors you would normally tuck into a bun.

Why I Love This Recipe

Here are a few reasons this sloppy joes casserole always finds its way onto my dinner rotation:

It turns simple pantry ingredients into a hearty, crowd pleasing meal.
The whole dish bakes in one pan, which makes cleanup quick and easy.
It has that cozy, nostalgic sloppy joe flavor in a fun new way.
Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it great for meal prep.
The recipe is flexible, so I can swap ingredients based on what I have on hand.
Picky eater approved!

If one pan dinners make your weeknight cooking more convenient, be sure to check out my garlic butter steak bites and our sheet pan fajitas next for even more easy meals.

Ingredients Notes

Lean ground beef: Ground pork sausage is a great substitution if you want extra flavor, or use ground turkey or ground chicken for a leaner option.
Diced yellow onion
Original Manwich sauce: Feel free to use the Thick and Chunky or Bold varieties, or even homemade sloppy joe sauce.
Farfalle bowtie pasta: I like bowties for their shape, but penne or shells work just as well. You can also swap the pasta entirely for cooked rice, cauliflower rice, or even tater tots.
Shredded Velveeta cheese: Cubed Velveeta melts too, it just takes a little longer to blend smoothly into the casserole.
Shredded Colby jack cheese: Cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, provolone, or a mozzarella blend all make great cheesy toppings for the sloppy joe mixture below.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Can I Make My Own Manwich Sauce?

Yes. A homemade sloppy joe sauce will still give you the sweet, tangy, and savory flavor you expect from Manwich, but with simple pantry ingredients and no preservatives. Mix together ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt, then stir it into the meat mixture. It is an easy from scratch swap if you prefer to make your own sauce.

Recipe Variations

Try different pasta: Rotini, elbow macaroni, penne, or rigatoni all hold the sauce really well.
Add vegetables: Mix in a variety of veggies like red bell pepper, green bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, corn, or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
Add heat: Stir in cayenne, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Make it smoky: A little smoked paprika or chipotle powder adds great depth and warmth.
Use homemade sauce: Swap the canned sauce for your favorite homemade sloppy joe mix.
Switch the topping: Add tater tots before baking or top with Bisquick mix for a fun twist similar to my Sloppy Joe Pie.

How to Make Sloppy Joe Casserole

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 9×13 casserole dish.
Cook the beef: Brown the ground beef and diced onion in a large stock pot on medium-high heat, then drain off any excess grease.
Mix everything together: Add both cans of Manwich sauce, the cooked bowtie pasta, and the Velveeta. Stir until everything is well combined.
Assemble: Pour the beef mixture into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the cheese in an even layer on the top.
Bake: Bake for about 25 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and golden brown on top.

How do I keep sloppy joe casserole from drying out?

Make sure the noodles are cooked to al dente so they do not soak up too much sauce. Mix everything well so the Manwich coats the pasta evenly, and cover the dish with foil if the top starts to brown too quickly. If the mixture looks a little thick before baking, stir in a small splash of water or broth to keep it creamy.

Recipe Tips

Spray the baking dish: A light coating of cooking spray keeps the casserole from sticking.
Cook pasta al dente: Slightly firm noodles hold up better during baking.
Watch the cheese: If the top starts browning too fast, loosely cover the casserole with foil.
Let it rest: Allow the casserole to sit for about 5 minutes so it sets and slices cleanly.
Add a garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions for color and a pop of freshness.

A wooden spoon digging into sloppy joe casserole with bowtie pasta.

Make Ahead & Storage Instructions

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the full sloppy Joes casserole in the oven at 350 degrees until hot and melty.
Freeze: Freeze the cooled casserole in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes of baking time if you are baking it straight from the fridge.

More Easy Casserole Recipes You’ll Love

If you loved this one-dish dinner, check out these recipes next for more family-friendly baked meals.

If you’ve tried this Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

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