Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole is a delightful twist on a classic dish that combines the hearty flavors of Sloppy Joes with the comforting texture of cornbread. This dish is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or even a casual night in. The savory ground beef infused with barbecue sauce creates a rich filling, while the cornbread topping adds a sweet contrast that will have everyone asking for seconds. This recipe is not only delicious but also quick to prepare, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• For the Sloppy Joe filling:
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For the cornbread topping:
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Cook the beef mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat. Add chopped onions and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Prepare the Sloppy Joe: Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
4. Make the cornbread batter: In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together milk, vegetable oil, and egg until smooth. Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in cheddar cheese if using.
5. Assemble the casserole: Spread the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly in the greased baking dish. Pour the cornbread batter on top, spreading evenly to cover the filling.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy hot, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Variations

While this Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole is great as-is, there are several ways you can customize it to fit your taste or dietary needs.

Vegetarian Version: Swap out the ground beef for lentils or a plant-based meat substitute. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times and add a little more moisture if needed.

Spicy Twist: If you like a kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the Sloppy Joe mix. You could also use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for added heat.

Toppings Galore: Experiment with different toppings! Try adding sliced olives, corn kernels, or even crushed tortilla chips for a crunchy twist.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some delicious options:

• Simple Green Salad: A fresh salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the casserole.
• Coleslaw: A tangy coleslaw is a perfect complement, adding crunch and freshness to each bite.
• Pickles or Jalapeños: Offer pickles or sliced jalapeños on the side for a bright, tangy flavor that contrasts well with the savory casserole.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers (which is unlikely because it’s so delicious!), store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions until warm.

Feel free to make this casserole ahead of time. Assemble it, cover it, and store it in the fridge for a day before baking. Just be sure to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since you’ll be starting with a cold dish.

Final Thoughts

Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole embodies comfort food at its finest. It’s rich, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make, making it a fabulous choice for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. Give it a try, and you may have a new family favorite on your hands!

Serving this casserole will undoubtedly impress your loved ones, so don’t hesitate to experiment with the ingredients and customize it just the way you like. Whether it’s spicy or classic, vegetarian or loaded with cheese, this dish is a winner!


Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

A delightful twist on a classic dish combining the hearty flavors of Sloppy Joes with the comforting texture of cornbread, perfect for family dinners or casual nights in.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 400

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Sloppy Joe filling

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the cornbread topping

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain excess fat. Add chopped onions and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, whisk together milk, vegetable oil, and egg until smooth. Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Fold in cheddar cheese if using.
6. Spread the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly in the greased baking dish. Pour the cornbread batter on top, spreading evenly to cover the filling.

Baking

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Serving

1. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy hot, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Feel free to customize this casserole. For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef for lentils or a plant-based meat substitute. For a spicy twist, add diced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.