Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich Recipe

This Sloppy Joe Casserole is a serious weeknight game-changer! It takes the nostalgic, savory-sweet flavor of classic sloppy joes and layers it over tender pasta and lots of gooey cheese. Trust me, you are going to absolutely love how easily this comes together—it’s pure comfort food magic in a dish! It’s hearty, packed with flavor, and guarantees happy plates all around.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Nostalgia Remixed: It delivers the iconic, savory-sweet flavor of a sloppy joe but transforms it into a scoopable, cheesy casserole that’s even easier to eat. This one’s a true comfort food superstar!
• Simple & Speedy: Ready in about 40 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty dinner fast. Minimal fuss, maximum deliciousness.
• A One-Pan Wonder (Almost!): Everything comes together in a single skillet before moving to the oven for that final, cheesy bake. Fewer dishes means more time for savoring!

Ingredients

All you need for this Sloppy Joe Casserole are a few pantry staples and a big dose of enthusiasm! Gather up these ingredients:

• Ground Beef: The hearty, savory base of our casserole. It gives the dish that satisfying texture and classic sloppy joe heft.
• Onion & Green Bell Pepper: This dynamic duo forms the essential aromatic base, adding sweetness, crunch, and depth of flavor. Don’t skip these—they make the casserole sing!
• Garlic: Just a couple of cloves for a punch of warm, savory goodness. Everything is better with a little garlic, right?
• Manwich Sauce: The iconic star! This pre-made sauce provides the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and tomato-y flavor that defines a sloppy joe.
• Cooked Pasta (Elbow or Rotini): The perfect vehicle for all that incredible sauce and cheese. Elbows or rotini work best for catching all the yummy bits!
• Frozen Corn: Adds a pop of color, natural sweetness, and a lovely textural contrast to the meat and pasta.
• Smoked Paprika: This is the secret ingredient! It adds a deep, smoky undertone that elevates the flavor far beyond the ordinary.
• Black Pepper & Salt: Essential seasonings to balance and highlight all the other beautiful flavors.
• Shredded Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: The final, glorious layer! The cheddar brings the sharp, savory taste, while the mozzarella ensures that beautiful, gooey, cheesy pull.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the beef and sautéing the veggies, helping to build the initial flavor base.
• Chopped Fresh Parsley: A vibrant green garnish to add a pop of color and a fresh, herbal note right before serving.

Note: The exact measurements and quantities for all these ingredients can be found in the recipe card immediately following this article!

How to Make the Sloppy Joe Casserole

Get ready to build a masterpiece! This comes together in a snap.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to $350^\circ \text{F}$ ($175^\circ \text{C}$). While the oven is warming up, heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Add your ground beef to the hot skillet. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, making sure to break it up into nice crumbles as it browns. Once cooked, drain any excess fat—we want flavor, not grease!

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

Toss in the finely chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook this mixture for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables have softened and the kitchen starts smelling incredible.

Step 4: Stir in the Flavor

Pour in that can of Manwich sauce! Add the corn, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Give it a good stir, bring it to a simmer, and let it bubble gently for 5 minutes so those flavors can truly meld together.

Step 5: Mix and Bake

Add your cooked pasta to the skillet and stir everything until the pasta is completely coated in that beautiful, rich sloppy joe sauce. Transfer the entire mixture to a baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 6: Get Cheesy

Generously sprinkle the top with the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20 glorious minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden brown.

Step 7: Rest and Garnish

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This little break helps everything set up. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of freshness, and dig in while it’s warm!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Al Dente Pasta is Key: Make sure your pasta is cooked al dente (slightly firm) before adding it to the sauce. It will continue to cook in the oven, and we don’t want mushy noodles!
• Drain the Grease: Taking the time to drain the excess grease from the ground beef after browning ensures your casserole isn’t oily and the sauce is perfectly rich.
• Customize Your Cheese: Feel free to swap out the cheddar for a sharp provolone or pepper jack if you want a little kick. Monterey Jack is another great option!
• Make it Meatier: For extra texture and protein, you can substitute half of the ground beef with Italian sausage (casings removed) for a slight change in flavor.

How to Serve

This casserole is a hearty meal all on its own, but here are a few ways to serve it up and complete the feast:

• Crisp Green Salad: Pair this rich, comforting casserole with a light, simple green salad tossed in a vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
• Garlic Bread or Toast: You absolutely cannot go wrong serving this with a side of warm, buttery garlic bread. Perfect for scooping up any lingering sauce!
• Pickle Power: The tangy crunch of dill pickles or bread and butter pickles offers a fantastic counterpoint to the savory-sweet sloppy joe flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze this casserole! Once cooled completely, cover the baking dish tightly with a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the whole dish in an oven preheated to $350^\circ \text{F}$ ($175^\circ \text{C}$) for 15-20 minutes, covering the top with foil if the cheese starts to brown too quickly.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different kind of sloppy joe sauce or make my own?

Absolutely! While the Manwich sauce gives it that distinct, nostalgic flavor, you can certainly use your favorite homemade sloppy joe mixture or another brand of canned sauce. Just ensure the amount is roughly equivalent to the 15-ounce can, and adjust the seasonings (like the smoked paprika) to your taste.

2. Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Prepare the recipe up through Step 6 (transferring it to the baking dish and topping it with cheese). Cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, you may need to add about 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time since you’ll be starting with a cold casserole.

3. What if I don’t have elbow or rotini pasta?

Don’t fret! Any small, sturdy pasta shape will work beautifully here. Good alternatives include small shells, ziti, or even penne. The goal is to use a shape that can hold onto the thick, meaty sauce and nestle nicely beneath that layer of bubbly cheese.

4. How can I add a little heat to this casserole?

If you like things spicy (like me!), there are a few easy ways to turn up the heat! Add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you stir in the Manwich sauce, or mix a small amount of diced jalapeño or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce into the beef mixture right before baking.