Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole Recipe

Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole is a great recipe when you are feeding the family, attending a potluck or gifting a meal to a friend or family member. It has all the flavors of a Sloppy Joe sandwich but it is made into a cheesy casserole with pasta.

Simply mix all the ingredients together and put it in a baking dish. Top it off with some shredded cheese and bake it until the cheese melts and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.

It is a meal that will not only leaving you feeling full for hours, but it is a favorite dish among the picky eaters. In fact, I get asked to make this recipe over and over again whenever my family visits.

And I never mind because this recipe comes together so quickly. And with a little meal planning it can prepared and in the oven in in no time!

Meal Planning Tips

When life is hectic and busy doing a little meal planning can go a long way in saving you time, effort and even money. And I think we could all benefit from that, especially this time of the year!

So how can you meal plan to make this Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole get on the table in less than 30 minutes? It really is easy.

1. Make Ahead Meal

Use some of your free time on the weekend to prepare the recipe as instructed. Then, instead of putting it in the oven to bake, cover it and place it in the refrigerator.

It makes for a great family dinner recipe on a busy weeknight. Once you get home, throw the pre-made casserole in the oven and within 30 minutes dinner will be on the table.

However, it is best to do this within a few days so that the noodles don’t get too soggy.

2. Freezer Meal

Instead of making the recipe and putting it in the refrigerator, why not use the freezer to help you meal prep? Although pasta doesn’t freeze well, you can make the Sloppy Joe meat and cheese sauce and put it in the freezer.

Then when you are ready to make the casserole, boil the pasta and heat the pre-made sauce in the skillet. You don’t even have to thaw out the sauce.

Instead, throw the frozen sauce in the skillet and when it heats up add the cooked and drained pasta. All that is left to do is add the cheese and throw it in the oven.

3. Meal Prep Individual Ingredients

Another way that you can save time throughout the week is the meal prep individual ingredients. For instance, when you purchase a 3 lb. package of ground beef at the grocery go ahead and cook it all.

Then divide the meat into 3 equal sections. Throughout the week, use the cooked ground beef in various recipes such as Ground Beef & Noodle Skillet Casserole, Slow Cooker Creamy Beef & Shells, or in this Small Batch Chili recipe.

It is a great time saver not having to cook a pound of ground beef on 3 separate occasions. However, don’t just think about preparing the meat ahead of time.

You can save a ton of time by cutting vegetables ahead of time as well. This recipe calls for 1/2 of a large onion and 1/2 of a large green pepper.

Therefore, instead of dicing up just half and putting the other half back in the refrigerator, go ahead and dice the entire onion and pepper. Then divide it in half and use one portion to make this recipe.

Save the other chopped vegetables and use them in recipes throughout the week. Not only do you save time when you go to cut the vegetables, but that means there are also fewer dishes to do as well.

Not to mention that less food will go to waste if you already have them diced and ready to go into recipes. Now that you know how to save time, effort and money while preparing this dish, let’s get to the actual recipe.

Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• 1 pounds ground beef
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1/2 large green bell pepper, chopped
• 24-ounce can Sloppy Joe sauce
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese

Garnish Ingredient (optional)

• fresh chopped parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).  Then spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large pot filled with salted water, cook the pasta to al’ dente according to the directions on the package.  

While the pasta is cooking brown the ground beef over medium-high heat in a large, deep sided skillet or in a large stock pot. When the meat is about half cooked, add the diced onions and peppers.

Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Then drain the mixture and return it back to the skillet.

Next pour the sloppy joe sauce in with the meat and stir util the meat is well coated.

Lower the heat to medium and add the cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and well distributed throughout the sauce.

When the pasta is cooked to al’ dente, drain and add the pasta to the skillet. Stir until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.

Carefully transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle the top of the casserole with shredded cheese.

Bake Time Required

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly on the edges and the cheese melts.

Remove the dish from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired and serve warm.

Other Sloppy Joe Inspired Recipes

If you love the flavor of Sloppy Joes, check out some of my favorite Sloppy Joe inspired recipes:

• Biscuit Topped Sloppy Joe Casserole
• Homemade Sloppy Joes Without Ketchup
• Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
• Homemade Classic Sloppy Joe Recipe

Enjoy! Mary

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