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Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Two comfort food classics combine into one bubbly, cheesy masterpiece layering savory sloppy joe meat with buttery cornbread studded with sweet corn. This single-casserole meal satisfies everyone at the table without requiring hours of stovetop time, delivering crowd-pleasing comfort without pretension.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480

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

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.