Casseroles arrive on the table when you want something that feeds properly without keeping you in the kitchen all evening. This one builds itself in layers: the sloppy joe mixture at the bottom, then cornbread batter spread over the top. As it bakes, the two parts marry together into something that feels more substantial than either would be alone.
The sloppy joe filling is straightforward beef and tomato sauce, seasoned generously enough that you taste it through the cornbread. Some people add peppers or onions, which works just fine. The point is having something saucy and flavourful underneath, something that the cornbread can absorb as everything cooks. You’re not making two separate dishes here, you’re building one.
Pulling it from the oven means the kitchen fills with the smell of baked cornmeal and warm tomato. It comes together as a complete meal, which is precisely why you make it. One dish, one oven, and everyone fed before the evening gets away from you. The kind of cooking that asks very little but delivers plenty.
Why You’ll Love this sloppy joe casserole
If you’re looking for a casserole that somehow manages to be both a comfort food and a crowd-pleaser without requiring you to juggle three different pans, this one’s calling your name.
I love how it combines everything I crave in one dish: savory sloppy joe meat layered with buttery cornbread and sweet corn. The cheese melts into golden pockets throughout, creating these little flavor bursts. It’s the kind of meal that satisfies without pretension.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching a single casserole handle breakfast-dinner vibes. Who knew sloppy joes could be this elegant yet so wonderfully simple.
Also read: Savory Homemade Momos Recipe – Traditional Beef Dumplings
What Ingredients are in sloppy joe casserole?
This Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole combines familiar comfort food elements into one streamlined dish. The recipe layers a seasoned ground beef mixture with a cornbread base studded with corn, all topped with melted cheese.
Each component brings its own texture and flavor to create a well-rounded casserole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The ingredient list is straightforward and uses mostly pantry staples, making this an accessible recipe for home cooks of any skill level.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (1 3/4 ounce) package Manwich sloppy joe mix
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 (8 ounce) box cornbread mix
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 (14 3/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 (14 ounce) can creamed corn
- 8 ounces monterey jack and cheddar cheese blend, shredded
Most ingredients for this casserole can be found in a standard grocery store without special ordering. The canned corn and creamed corn are interchangeable depending on your texture preference, and the cheese blend can be substituted with your favorite melting cheese.
The Manwich mix provides convenience and consistent flavor, though you could make a homemade sloppy joe sauce if desired. Having all ingredients measured and prepared before beginning assembly facilitates a smooth cooking process.
How to Make this sloppy joe casserole
- Begin by preparing the sloppy joe filling. In a large skillet, brown 1 lb of ground beef with 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are softened, drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in 1 (1 3/4 ounce) package of Manwich sloppy joe mix, 6 ounces of tomato paste, and 1 1/4 cups of water. Mix everything together thoroughly and simmer according to the Manwich package directions until the sauce reaches the desired consistency and flavors meld together.
- While the meat mixture simmers, prepare the cornbread base. In a separate bowl, combine 1 (8 ounce) box of cornbread mix with 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup of melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Fold in 1 (14 3/4 ounce) can of whole kernel corn (drained) and 1 (14 ounce) can of creamed corn until just combined. Pour this cornbread mixture into a prepared 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Spread the cooked sloppy joe meat mixture over the cornbread layer, then top the entire casserole with 8 ounces of shredded monterey jack and cheddar cheese blend.
- Place the casserole in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, until the cornbread at the edges begins to brown and the casserole is heated through. Remove from the oven and let rest briefly before serving.
Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Begin by preparing the sloppy joe filling. In a large skillet, brown 1 lb of ground beef with 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Once the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are softened, drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in 1 (1 3/4 ounce) package of Manwich sloppy joe mix, 6 ounces of tomato paste, and 1 1/4 cups of water. Mix everything together thoroughly and simmer according to the Manwich package directions until the sauce reaches the desired consistency and flavors meld together.
- While the meat mixture simmers, prepare the cornbread base. In a separate bowl, combine 1 (8 ounce) box of cornbread mix with 2 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup of melted butter, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Fold in 1 (14 3/4 ounce) can of whole kernel corn (drained) and 1 (14 ounce) can of creamed corn until just combined. Pour this cornbread mixture into a prepared 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Spread the cooked sloppy joe meat mixture over the cornbread layer, then top the entire casserole with 8 ounces of shredded monterey jack and cheddar cheese blend.
- Place the casserole in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, until the cornbread at the edges begins to brown and the casserole is heated through. Remove from the oven and let rest briefly before serving.
Notes
Sloppy Joe Substitutions and Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, you’ll find plenty of ways to customize this casserole to match your taste buds and what’s already hanging out in your pantry. I’d swap the monterey jack blend for pepper jack if I’m craving heat, or go mild with mozzarella. Ground turkey works beautifully instead of beef, keeping things lighter. Don’t have cornbread mix? Jiffy’s a solid backup. I’d toss in diced bell peppers or jalapeños into the meat layer for extra flavor and crunch. Fresh corn beats canned every time if you’ve got it. These tweaks keep the dish fresh without losing its comforting essence.sloppy joe casserole Substitutions and Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, you’ll find plenty of ways to customize this casserole to match your taste buds and what’s already hanging out in your pantry. I’d swap the monterey jack blend for pepper jack if I’m craving heat, or go mild with mozzarella.
Ground turkey works beautifully instead of beef, keeping things lighter. Don’t have cornbread mix? Jiffy’s a solid backup. I’d toss in diced bell peppers or jalapeños into the meat layer for extra flavor and crunch.
Fresh corn beats canned every time if you’ve got it. These tweaks keep the dish fresh without losing its comforting essence.
What to Serve with sloppy joe casserole
Because this casserole packs so much richness with the cheesy cornbread base and savory meat topping, you’ll want sides that cut through all that decadence and keep things balanced on your plate.
I’d reach for crisp, invigorating options like a tangy coleslaw or a simple green salad with vinaigrette. Steamed broccoli or roasted green beans work wonders too, adding vegetables without competing for attention.
Maybe pickle spears on the side? They’ll brighten everything up. Even just sliced tomatoes with a squeeze of lemon can do the trick. The goal’s contrast, really—something light to offset that hearty, satisfying main dish.
Final Thoughts
This Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole isn’t just another weeknight dinner that disappears from your plate—it’s the kind of dish that’ll have people asking for seconds, maybe thirds. I’d argue this recipe hits that sweet spot where comfort food meets actual effort, you know? The cheesy cornbread base soaks up all that savory meat sauce, creating something genuinely craveable. You’re basically combining two beloved comfort foods into one baking dish, which feels like winning the dinner lottery. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or impressing friends, this casserole delivers hearty satisfaction without requiring fancy techniques or exotic ingredients.
