Description
This Sloppy Joe Casserole offers a comforting twist on the classic sandwich by combining savory ground beef in a tangy tomato-based sauce with bowtie pasta and melty cheeses, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner, this hearty casserole blends familiar flavors with an easy, one-dish meal approach.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced white onion
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 pound ground beef
Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Pasta and Broth
- 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces dry bowtie pasta (½ box)
Cheeses
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut into small pieces and divided (1 block)
- 8 ounces Colby jack cheese, freshly grated and divided
Garnish
- Freshly chopped green onions or chives
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and set aside a 9×13-inch casserole baking dish to use later.
- Cook the onion: In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, then add the diced white onion. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add garlic: Stir in the finely minced garlic and cook for an additional minute or until fragrant, careful not to burn it.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, crumble it with a spatula, and cook until browned thoroughly, with no pink remaining, about 7-10 minutes.
- Mix ingredients for sauce: In a small bowl, combine ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this sauce mixture into the browned beef and stir well to combine all flavors.
- Let the beef mixture simmer: Allow the beef and sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes to meld the flavors. Then, spoon the mixture into a bowl and set aside temporarily.
- Prepare the broth: Wipe out the pan to remove any residue and pour in the chicken broth. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook pasta: Add the bowtie pasta to the boiling broth and cook according to package instructions but stop just before it reaches al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Combine beef and cheese: Return the cooked beef mixture to the pan with the pasta. Add 12 ounces of the Velveeta cheese and half of the grated Colby jack cheese, stirring until all the cheese is melted and evenly combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Spread this cheesy beef and pasta mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the remaining Velveeta pieces and the rest of the grated Colby jack cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with non-stick foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the edges begin to crisp and develop a deep brown color.
- Cool and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or chives as desired before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version, consider adding a pinch of chili powder or red pepper flakes to the beef sauce.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the salt level in this dish.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving allows it to set, making serving easier.
- Velveeta cheese melts smoothly, but you can substitute with a similar processed cheese if preferred.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative and use vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
