Sloppy Joe Casserole is a one-skillet dinner that layers a tangy sloppy joe filling under a golden, cheesy cornbread topping. It starts with ground beef simmered in a sauce made with tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and a little Worcestershire, then topped with Jiffy cornbread batter mixed with sharp cheddar and baked until golden. The whole thing comes together in one skillet, so you get all that classic sloppy joe flavor without making a single sandwich. It’s ready in under an hour, and cleanup is one pan.
Sloppy joes have always felt like a sweet childhood memory to me; that sweet and tangy meat sauce takes me right back. But some nights I want that flavor without dealing with buns and forks and everybody dripping sauce down their arm. That’s exactly why I started making this version. I took the same meat mixture I’ve always loved and put a cornbread topping on it instead, and it turned into one of the easiest dinners I make: one skillet and done.q
Main Ingredients Needed For Sloppy Joe Casserole
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, jump to the recipe card.
- Ground beef: This is the base of your sloppy joe filling. Look for lean ground beef, 85/15 or 90/10, so you get good flavor without a greasy filling. If your beef releases a lot of fat while it cooks, go ahead and drain it before adding the rest of the ingredients.
- White onion: I just default to white onion out of habit more than anything, but yellow onion works fine too if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
- Green bell pepper: Adds a little bite of freshness and color to the filling. Look for one with bright, glossy skin that feels heavy for its size. If you’d rather have something a little sweeter, red, yellow, or orange peppers work too.
- Brown sugar: Rounds out the tang from the tomato sauce and ketchup with a little sweetness, the same way it does in a classic sloppy joe.
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings the deep, savory flavor that makes the filling taste like it’s been simmering all day. Grab a well-balanced bottle; you want real depth of flavor, not something watered down.
- Tomato sauce: This is the base of your sloppy joe sauce. Choose a can with minimal additives, and if you like a heartier texture, look for one without added water.
- Ketchup: Adds sweetness and tang and helps thicken the sauce as it simmers.
- Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: This is what makes the cornbread topping for this sloppy joe casserole recipe come together in minutes instead of from scratch. A boxed mix keeps this recipe quick and simple.
- Cheddar cheese: Melts into the cornbread topping and gives it that golden, cheesy finish. I like extra sharp cheddar for the most flavor.
How To Make Sloppy Joe Casserole
This recipe comes together quickly in just a few steps, making it a wonderful choice for a family meal or a gathering with friends.
Tip: If your ground beef releases a lot of fat while cooking, drain it before adding the other ingredients to prevent a greasy filling.
Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole Variations to Try
This sloppy joe cornbread casserole is easy to make your own.
- My go-to swap when I’m cooking for my own family is ground turkey. It keeps things a little lighter without losing any of that sloppy joe flavor.
- Want a little heat? Stir a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce into the meat mixture, or fold in some diced pickled jalapeños like my cowboy candy for a sweet and spicy kick.
- For a crispier, golden crust on top, brush the cornbread with melted butter during the last five minutes of baking. If you’d rather have a softer cornbread topping, just cover the skillet with foil for the first ten minutes in the oven.
- If you love this flavor but want a slow cooker version for feeding a bigger group, my crock pot sloppy joes for a crowd is another one worth keeping in your back pocket.
Make It Ahead for a Busy Night
You can make this sloppy joe casserole up to a day ahead by preparing the meat mixture and keeping it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the skillet and add the cornbread topping fresh before baking. This is one of those recipes that’s actually easier when you get ahead of it, especially if you’re making room for company the same night.
Questions When Making Sloppy Joe Casserole
Yes, ground turkey works well in this sloppy joe casserole if you want a lighter option. It soaks up the same tangy sauce just as well as ground beef does, so you won’t lose any flavor by swapping it in.
You can in a pinch, but making the sauce fresh with real vegetables and seasonings gives this sloppy joe cornbread casserole noticeably better flavor. If you’re short on time, canned sauce will still get you a good dinner; it just won’t have the same depth as the from-scratch version.
A soggy middle usually just means it needs more time in the oven. If the top starts browning before the center is fully set, cover it loosely with foil and keep baking until the middle is cooked through.
Yes, a store brand cornbread box mix works fine in place of Jiffy. The texture and bake time stay about the same either way.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 1 pound ground beef, lean, 85/15 or 90/10
- 1/2 cup white onion, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 15 ounces tomato sauce, canned
- ¾ cup ketchup
Cornbread Topping
- 8.5 ounces Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, boxed
- 1 egg, large
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese, extra sharp recommended
Instructions
Cook the Meat Mixture
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Brown ground beef in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, draining excess grease if needed.1 pound ground beef
- Add diced onion and green bell pepper, cooking for about 5 minutes until soft.1/2 cup white onion, 1/2 cup green bell pepper
- Stir in brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and garlic powder.2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pour in tomato sauce and ketchup, stirring until well combined, and let simmer on low while preparing the topping.15 ounces tomato sauce, ¾ cup ketchup
Prepare the Cornbread Topping
- In a mixing bowl, combine Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, egg, and milk, stirring until just combined (do not overmix).8.5 ounces Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, 1 egg, ⅓ cup milk
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.¾ cup cheddar cheese
Assemble & Bake
- Remove the skillet from heat and carefully pour the cornbread mixture over the meat mixture, spreading evenly to the edges with a large spoon.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cornbread is golden brown and cooked through in the center.
Serve
- Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.
Gina’s Notes and Tips
Tried this recipe?
Please consider Leaving a Review!Hospitality with This Sloppy Joe Skillet Dinner
A Comfort Casserole Dinner is exactly the kind of night this recipe was made for, since it lets you get a hot meal on the table with very little effort. Just set the skillet right in the middle of the table the way it comes out of the oven, and let everyone dish up their own slice. That’s really what hospitality looks like with a recipe like this. It’s not about setting an impressive table; it’s about having something warm and yummy that makes whoever is at your table feel cared for and part of the family.