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This cheery Sloppy Joe casserole brings the beloved sandwich into a comforting oven meal with a pillowy cheesy biscuit layer on top. It’s awesome when you want a cozy one-pan dinner where everyone just grabs a bowl and digs in without any fuss.
I whipped this up for a birthday the first time and now it’s our go-to for movie nights. As soon as that baking smell fills the house, everyone’s ready with their bowls for seconds.
Tasty Ingredients
- Ketchup: Adds some fruity tang and a sweet hit. Spring for decent ketchup if you can.
- Tomato sauce: Makes the filling saucy and rich. Good quality here gives the best flavor.
- Dry mustard: Gives a little tingle and depth. Fresh powder is best if you have it.
- Worcester sauce: Brings meaty, savory notes. Puts that classic Sloppy Joe flavor in your beef.
- Spicy chili flakes, if you want: Turns up the heat. Add just a little, especially if kids are eating.
- Salt for seasoning the beef: Use fine salt for even flavor.
- Brown sugar: Gives that sweet hint that balances everything. Choose soft or fine sugar so it blends well.
- Green bell pepper: Brings a pop of color and a tiny hint of bitterness. Go for fresh, crunchy ones.
- Red bell pepper: Gives some juicy sweetness and bright color. Pick the ones that are super fresh.
- White onion: Melds right in with the meat for extra juiciness and mild sweetness. Crisp fresh onions work best.
- Lean ground beef: The core of this dish. Try to get a low-fat cut with a good beefy taste.
- Cheddar, freshly shredded: Makes that cheesy layer and perfect golden crust. A sharp English or Irish one works best.
- Egg: Binds the dough together and keeps things fluffy. Use a fresh one, free-range if possible.
- Milk: Makes the biscuit topping soft but not soggy. Whole milk brings out the flavors.
- Butter: Adds rich taste and keeps the biscuit from drying out. Salted butter bumps up the flavor.
- Salt for the dough: Brings out all the biscuit flavors. Fine salt mixes in best.
- Baking powder: Gets the biscuit topping super fluffy. Use a fresh can so it rises well.
- All-purpose flour for the biscuit topping: Makes that cloud-like texture. If you can, use a new bag so the topping is extra light.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Let it bake and serve it up
- Set your pan in the oven and bake back for about 25 to 30 minutes. The biscuit should be golden on top and the filling nice and bubbly. Pull it out carefully and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. That makes it easier to scoop and helps the sauce set up a bit.
- Put it all together and bake
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly into your pan or skillet. Dollop the biscuit dough on top in big spoonfuls, so little gaps stay open. That lets the steam out and gives you extra crispy bits.
- Season and simmer the sauce
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, some salt, and chili flakes on the beef. Add your Worcester, mustard, tomato sauce, and ketchup too. Give it a good stir and simmer for about five minutes. Everything should thicken up and get super tasty.
- Brown the beef base
- Heat a big oven-safe pan over medium-high. Toss in your ground beef along with chopped onion and both peppers. Sear for about ten minutes, stirring, till the beef is cooked and nicely browned. If there’s too much fat, drain it off.
- Mix up the biscuit dough
- Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a big bowl. Add milk, melted butter, and egg. Whisk it all up till smooth and lump-free. Fold in the cheddar gently till you get a thick, sticky dough. Just set that bowl aside for now.
- Preheat your oven
- Kick off by cranking your oven to 200°C so it’s ready to give your casserole that awesome golden top later.
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Good to Know
Loaded with protein from ground beef and cheese. You can prep it ahead and just reheat later. Freezes great, so you’ve got an easy meal waiting anytime. My favorite part is stirring cheddar into the biscuit mix – in my family, someone always sneaks a taste right from the bowl while we wait for that yummy oven smell.
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
If you’ve got extras, just pop them into an airtight container and stash them in the fridge for up to three days. To warm it back up, cover and heat in the oven at 160°C or give it a quick zap in the microwave. The biscuit top will soften up and get warm again this way.
Swapping Out Ingredients
No cheddar? Use Gouda, Emmental, or try a mix of alpine cheese and some mozzarella. Swap in veggie ground meat if you like it meatless—just use a heavier hand with the seasonings to dial up the flavor.
How to Serve It
A crispy green salad, crusty baguette, or some tangy pickles are awesome on the side. Sometimes I top it with avocado chunks for extra freshness. My kids always ask for more cheese melted on near the end of baking, which is honestly delicious.
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A Bit of American Backstory
Sloppy Joes have been famous in the US for almost a century. Supposedly, someone in Iowa whipped them up in the ‘30s, and that light tomato sauce is what makes them stand out. Americans love them in a bun, but also as a warm, hearty bake with biscuit topping.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use a different kind of meat instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Try ground turkey or a mix. The taste will be a bit different, but you still get all the comfort.
- → How do I make the biscuit topping super fluffy?
Just use ingredients at room temp and stir the batter quickly. Add the cheese right at the end and don’t overmix.
- → Is it possible to make this ahead of time?
You sure can. Put everything together and chill it in the fridge until it’s time to bake. Let it sit out about 10 minutes before baking.
- → What’s good to serve on the side?
A fresh green salad goes perfectly. It makes the whole meal feel lighter.
- → Can I freeze the bake for later?
Yes, just let it cool down, slice it up, then freeze. Reheat in the oven whenever you want a quick meal.