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The Best Sloppy Joe Casserole (Kid-Approved & Easy!)

by Chelsea Catalan

I’ll be honest—Sloppy Joes were a childhood staple in my house, but my mom had this way of stretching a meal to feed an army.

That’s how this Sloppy Joe Casserole was born! It’s got all the tangy, sweet, and beefy goodness of a classic Sloppy Joe, but baked with layers of buttery biscuits and gooey cheese. And let me tell you—kids love it.

Now that I’ve got my own family, I make sure our meals are just as comforting, but with a little upgrade—fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and a focus on balance.

This casserole is protein-packed, full of flavor, and way less messy than the traditional version. Plus, it reheats like a dream, making it perfect for meal prep.

Let’s get cooking!

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Casserole

  • Veggie Boost – Want extra nutrition? Add finely shredded carrots or mushrooms to the meat while cooking. The kids won’t even notice!
  • Make It Spicy – Swap regular mustard for spicy brown mustard, or toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • Dairy-Free? – Use dairy-free cheese or skip the cheese altogether—it’s still delicious!
  • Gluten-Free? – Use gluten-free biscuits or serve the Sloppy Joe filling over mashed potatoes instead.

Serving Suggestions

I love serving this with a crisp side salad, some steamed green beans, or roasted sweet potatoes to balance out the richness. And if you really want to make it fun for the kids, a side of carrot sticks with ranch is a winner.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole (Kid-Friendly)

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  • Author: Chelsea Catalan
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

A cheesy, biscuit-layered twist on the classic Sloppy Joe that’s easy to make, mess-free, and absolutely kid-approved!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Sloppy Joe Filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a little kick)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Casserole:

  • 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuits (or homemade if you’re feeling fancy!)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (for that extra cheesy pull)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional for brushing the biscuits)
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep – Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the Meat – In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until the meat is browned and the veggies are soft, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
  3. Make the Sauce – Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
  4. Layer the Casserole – Cut the biscuits into quarters and spread half of them in the baking dish. Spoon half of the Sloppy Joe mixture over the biscuits, then sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat the layers with remaining biscuits, Sloppy Joe mixture, and cheese.
  5. Bake – Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
  6. Finish & Serve – Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with parsley. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Great for meal prep—leftovers reheat beautifully!


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: ~420 per serving
  • Sugar: ~6g
  • Sodium: ~780mg
  • Fat: ~22g
  • Saturated Fat: ~10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~9g
  • Trans Fat: ~0g
  • Carbohydrates: ~38g
  • Fiber: ~2g
  • Protein: ~22g
  • Cholesterol: ~55mg

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