Sloppy Joe Casserole -

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This easy Sloppy Joe Casserole is a cheesy, hearty, family-friendly pasta bake packed with classic sloppy joe flavor for the ultimate weeknight comfort food dinner ready in under an hour.

Sloppy Joe Casserole in a baking dish and on a white plate.

Sloppy joe’s reign supreme with my kids, so whenever I need a simple, filling dinner that everyone is guaranteed to enjoy, we make this easy Sloppy Joe Casserole. Hearty and comforting, packed with familiar flavor, and quick to prep, this recipe is in our meal rotation on the regular. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and the whole family asks for seconds — even picky eaters (yes, really!).

This Sloppy Joe Casserole gives the classic sloppy joe sandwich a fun, cheesy, pasta-based twist with seasoned ground beef, sweet-savory Manwich sauce, al dente pasta and creamy Velveeta cheese before getting topped with even more melty cheese and baking it until hot and bubbly. It’s rich and cozy, and packed with all the flavor you know and love in one easy casserole — and it really doesn’t get much better than that in our book.

If you’re a sloppy joe lover like us, be sure to try some of these recipes, too. We love these Sloppy Joe Sliders and these hearty Big Mac Sloppy Joes are another tasty twist on the traditional.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Under 10 Ingredients: This easy recipe calls for just a handful of ingredients that are mostly pantry staples that are easy to find. We always like keeping a can of Manwich sauce on hand!
Picky-Eater Friendly: With familiar flavors, this is a hit even with adults, kids, and the whole family — picky eaters included. Yes, really.
Fast & Filling: This comes together quickly and easily in under an hour. It’s a recipe you’ll want in your rotation regularly — we have it for dinner all the time.
Great For Meal Prep & Make-Ahead Option: This is super easy to prep in advance and make ahead of time to save time. It’s ideal for busy weeknights and freezer meals.

Ingredients

Ground Beef: We like 80/20 for the best, juicy flavor and texture.
Onion: For aromatic flavoring.
Original Manwich Sauce: An essential sloppy joe ingredient! Sweet, savory and saucy, keep a can of this on hand at all times.
Pasta: We like farfalle, or bowties, for their shape, but use whatever short-cut you prefer. Cook to al dente for the best texture.
Velveeta: For that extra creamy, cheesy flavor and texture.
Colby-Jack Cheese: Mild and perfectly melty, use freshly grated.

How To Make Sloppy Joe Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish and set it aside.
Cook bowtie noodles per package directions.
Using a 4–5-quart heavy bottomed stockpot, brown the ground beef and diced onion on medium-high heat. Drain any excess grease and return the browned ground beef and onions to the stock pot.

4. Add the 2 cans of Manwich sauce, the cooked bowtie noodles and the shredded Velveeta. Stir the ingredients until well combined.

5. Pour the Manwich casserole into the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
6. Evenly sprinkle the 8 oz pkg shredded Colby-jack on top of the casserole.
7. Bake for 25 minutes.

Expert Tips

Use a heavy-bottomed pot OR regular pot. A heavy-bottomed stockpot helps prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom and conducts heat nicely, but a regular pot, pan, or Dutch oven works fine too. Use whatever you’ve got.
Never drain excess grease down the drain. This is a big no! Always pour it into a small lidded container (like a rinsed cream cheese tub) and discard in the garbage to avoid costly plumbing damage.
Cook the noodles al dente. They should still have a slight bite. They’ll continue to soften slightly in the oven, so don’t overcook them or they’ll be too mushy.
Make this ahead of time. You can prep the casserole in advance, then store in the fridge for 2-3 days, or freeze for about 3 months, before baking. It’s a great meal prep and make-ahead meal.

Variations & Substitutions

Try Different Cheeses: Swap Colby-jack for sharp cheddar or a Mexican blend for a different, cheesy, melty flavor profile.
Use Another Pasta Shape: Try a different short pasta shape if bowtie isn’t on hand. Penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli works nicely.
Add Veggies: Mix in diced bell pepper, onion or mushrooms to the beef for extra vegetables.
Balance the Flavors with a Salad: Serve the heavy casserole alongside a simple green salad to balance the richness.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and bubbly, or in the microwave for 30 second intervals.

You can freeze cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months. The texture of the pasta might change slightly when thawed, so we really recommend eating it fresh, if possible. But if needed, thaw from frozen in the fridge overnight, then reheat as instructed above.

This casserole is ideal to prep in advance. Assemble it ahead of time, then store it unbaked and covered tightly in the fridge for up to 2-3 days, or in the freezer for about 3 months, before baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a heavy-bottomed stockpot?

No. We like a heavy-bottomed stockpot because it helps to prevent anything from sticking, holds heat nicely, and cooks evenly, but you can just as easily use a regular pan or pot that’s oven-safe.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Definitely! Any short-cut pasta shape works, like penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or elbows.

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