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Delicious Sloppy Joe Casserole topped with cornbread in a baking dish

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
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.