Description
Hearty sloppy joe casserole combines classic comfort with cheesy, meaty goodness. Ground beef and tangy sauce meld perfectly under a golden, bubbling cheese topping that families will crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into small pieces and divided (1 block)
- 8 ounces Colby jack cheese, freshly grated and divided
Base and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces dry bowtie pasta (1/2 box)
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 375°F and ready a 9×13-inch baking dish for the casserole.
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, sauté onions in olive oil until they turn translucent and soft.
- Add minced garlic to the onions and cook for 60 seconds until aromatic.
- Introduce ground beef to the pan, breaking it into crumbly pieces and cooking until it reaches a deep brown color and is fully cooked through.
- Create the sauce by mixing ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl, then pour over the beef. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Clean the pan and pour chicken broth, bringing to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Combine the cooked beef with pasta, stirring in 12 ounces of Velveeta and half the Colby jack cheese until fully melted and integrated.
- Transfer the cheesy beef and pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Dice the remaining Velveeta into small pieces and sprinkle over the casserole along with the rest of the Colby jack cheese.
- Cover with non-stick foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until edges turn crispy and golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with freshly chopped green onions or chives, then serve hot.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comfort dish.
- Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary accommodations.
- Consider using low-sodium chicken broth and reduced-sugar ketchup to manage sodium and sugar intake.
- Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more texture in the casserole.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 577
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg