30-Minute Sloppy Joe Casserole

Oh, now this one right here is what I call a weeknight lifesaver. You know those evenings when the day got away from you, everyone’s hungry, and your patience is hangin’ on by a spaghetti noodle? That’s when I reach for this 30-Minute Sloppy Joe Casserole. It’s hearty, cheesy, a little nostalgic — and best of all? You can pull it together in the time it takes your kids to finish their homework (or pretend to).

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• Classic comfort — like sloppy joes, but less mess and way more cheese

• Family-friendly — picky eaters, teens, husbands… everybody digs it

• One pan (and a pot) wonder — easy on cleanup

• Budget-conscious — pantry staples and affordable ingredients

• Ready in 30 minutes — no fuss, no wait, all flavor

Ingredients — Real Simple, Really Good

Here’s what you’ll need to make this weeknight winner:

• 1 lb ground beef – go lean if you can, but whatever you’ve got is fine

• 1 small onion, diced – adds that savory depth

• 1 green bell pepper, diced – for a little crunch and color

• 1 tsp garlic powder – because it always belongs

• 1 tsp dried parsley – optional, but adds a herby note

• 2 (15 oz) cans sloppy joe sauce – we’re keepin’ it easy, folks (I like Manwich)

• 1 (16 oz) box rotini pasta, cooked and drained – holds the sauce like a champ

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided – the sharp kind melts beautifully

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or basil — it’s pretty and brightens things up

Let’s Get Cookin’ — Step-by-Step

1. Sauté the Beef & Veggies

Grab your biggest skillet and set it over medium heat. Toss in your ground beef, diced onion, and bell pepper. Break up the beef with your spoon and let everything sizzle until the meat’s browned and the veggies are nice and soft — about 7–8 minutes.

Drain off any extra grease if things are lookin’ a bit too juicy.

2. Add the Sloppy Joe Goodness

Now pour in both cans of sloppy joe sauce, then stir in your garlic powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let that saucy mix come to a gentle simmer — just a couple minutes to let the flavors get to know each other.

3. Mix in the Pasta & Cheese

Time to make it a casserole! Add your cooked rotini right into the skillet (or transfer everything to a bigger pot if your skillet’s too full). Stir well to coat all that pasta in the sloppy joe mixture.

Then go ahead and mix in 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until it’s all gooey and melted into the dish like a warm hug.

4. Top It Off & Melt It Down

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar right over the top. Cover your pan with a lid (or a piece of foil if your skillet doesn’t have one) and let it sit on low heat for another 3–5 minutes — just long enough to melt that cheese into a dreamy, bubbly topping.

No oven needed, y’all! Just stovetop simplicity.

5. Serve It Hot & Happy

Scoop it into bowls, sprinkle with fresh herbs if you’re feelin’ fancy, and serve it up! It’s one of those dishes that fills your belly and your spirit.

Want to Mix It Up?

This casserole’s a real team player. Try:

• Ground turkey or chicken instead of beef

• A dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes for a kick

• Swap rotini for elbow macaroni or shells

• Stir in a can of corn or black beans for a little extra texture

• Add a handful of crushed tortilla chips on top before serving — chef’s kiss

Storing & Reheating Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days

• Reheat on the stove or microwave — add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up

• You can freeze it, but the pasta may soften a bit — still tastes great, though!

Before You Go…

I always say there’s nothing wrong with leaning into the classics — especially when they come together this fast and taste this good. This Sloppy Joe Casserole is the kind of dish that disappears fast, so you might want to double it next time.

If you give it a whirl, I’d love to hear how it turned out — or how you made it your own. Leave a comment, send a picture, or just holler. I’m always here for a good casserole chat. 😊

Before Payday Casserole

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or pork)
• 3 1/3 cups dried potato flakes (instant mashed potatoes)
• 3 1/3 cups boiling water
• 1/4 cup full-fat sour cream, room temperature
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 28 oz can tomato purée
• 1 14.75 oz can corn kernels, drained
• 1 14.50 oz can green beans, drained
• 2 cups sliced or shredded white or yellow cheddar cheese
• to taste Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x9 or 9x13-inch baking dish with baking spray. Set aside.
• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat, seasoning with salt and pepper, and break it into crumbles. Once cooked, transfer to a large mixing bowl.
• Add tomato purée, drained corn, and drained green beans to the bowl with the meat. Stir well to combine and set aside.
• In another bowl, mix the instant potato flakes with boiling water, sour cream, and butter. Stir until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
• Spoon the mashed potatoes over the meat layer and spread to cover completely.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes until the casserole is bubbling at the sides. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and return to oven for 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.
• Remove from oven and serve hot.

Notes

Customize with your favorite ground meat or additional veggies. Great for using pantry staples!

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