Description
A hearty, comfort food casserole that marries the tangy, savory flavors of sloppy joes with tender pasta and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8 oz pasta (penne or elbow macaroni works best)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes, chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and bell pepper until the meat is browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Flavors: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: Mix in the tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine: Gently stir the cooked pasta into the sloppy joe mixture, ensuring everything is well incorporated.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust the level of sweetness or tanginess by modifying the ketchup or brown sugar amounts.
- For a healthier twist, try using lean ground turkey or whole-wheat pasta.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Sugar: ~10 g
- Sodium: ~600 mg
- Fat: ~15 g
- Saturated Fat: ~6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~4 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~35 g
- Fiber: ~3 g
- Protein: ~20 g
- Cholesterol: ~60 mg