Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake

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This Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake combines the sweet, tangy, savory flavors of classic sloppy joes with comforting baked cheesy pasta. It is an easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight casserole that comes together quickly and feeds a hungry family.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 packet (1.5 oz) sloppy joe seasoning mix (or homemade sauce: 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce)
  • 1/2 cup water (skip if using homemade sauce with enough liquid)
  • 16 oz box pasta (elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini work best)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheddar-mozzarella blend)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (about 1–2 minutes shy of package instructions, as it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Sloppy Joe Meat Filling

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, diced onion, and diced bell pepper until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are tender (about 6–8 minutes). Drain any excess grease.
  2. Stir in the sloppy joe seasoning mix and water (or your homemade sloppy joe sauce ingredients). Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened and flavorful.

3. Assemble and Bake

  1. Add the cooked, drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sloppy joe meat mixture and toss until the noodles are thoroughly coated.
  2. Pour half of the pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the top.
  3. Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the rest of the cheese.
  4. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese on top is completely melted and lightly golden.

4. Rest and Serve

  1. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving so the layers set.

Chef’s Tips

  • Extra Veggies: You can easily sneak in finely diced carrots, zucchini, or a can of drained corn into the meat mixture for extra nutrients.
  • Make Ahead: You can assemble the entire bake ahead of time, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 5–10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

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