Sloppy Joe Casserole
Comfort food lovers, this Sloppy Joe Casserole is about to become your new weeknight hero! Kids will go crazy for those classic sloppy joe flavors they love, while parents can feel great knowing it’s packed with healthy veggies. Plus, it all comes together in just 30 minutes for a stress-free dinner everyone will devour.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 25 minutes, Additional Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes, Serves: 6 people.
Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free, Healthy Aging, Healthy Immunity, Soy-Free, High-Fiber, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Low-Calorie.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 481 Calories, 16g Fat, 58g Carbs, 30g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Whole-wheat elbow noodles: You’ll need 2¼ cups (about 10 ounces) of these hearty noodles. They add great fiber and hold up perfectly to all that delicious sauce!
Neutral oil: Just 1 tablespoon of canola or avocado oil works great here. Either one will give you that perfect cooking base without overpowering the flavors.
Ground turkey: One pound of lean ground turkey keeps this dish lighter than traditional beef. It’s packed with protein and tastes amazing with all these seasonings!
Riced cauliflower: You’ll need 2½ cups of this sneaky veggie. It blends right in and adds extra nutrition without anyone noticing!
Red bell peppers: Two cups chopped up gives you that beautiful color and sweet crunch. Fresh bell peppers make such a difference in this dish.
Yellow onions: 1½ cups chopped will give you that perfect savory base. Yellow onions work best here, but white ones are fine too!
Carrots: One cup grated adds natural sweetness and extra veggies. Pre-shredded carrots from the store work great to save time.
Garlic: Five cloves minced will make your kitchen smell incredible. Fresh garlic really makes this dish shine!
No-salt-added tomato sauce: One 15-ounce can gives you that classic sloppy joe base. The no-salt version lets you control the seasoning perfectly.
Light brown sugar: 1½ tablespoons adds just the right touch of sweetness. It balances out the tangy flavors beautifully.
Reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce: One tablespoon brings that deep, savory flavor that makes sloppy joes so good. It’s the secret ingredient that ties everything together!
Dry mustard: Two teaspoons give you that classic tangy bite. It’s much better than regular mustard for this recipe.
Kosher salt: 1¼ teaspoons seasons everything perfectly. You can adjust this to your family’s taste.
Ground pepper: One teaspoon adds just the right amount of warmth. Freshly ground pepper tastes best if you have it.
Sharp Cheddar cheese: One cup shredded melts into the most delicious cheesy topping. Sharp cheddar gives you the best flavor, but mild works too!
How to Make Sloppy Joe Casserole
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F first thing. Cook the pasta according to package directions until it’s perfectly tender. Drain it well and set it aside while you work on the good stuff!
Step 2: Heat that tablespoon of oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook it, stirring to break it up, until it’s lightly browned all over. This takes about 4 to 5 minutes and smells amazing!
Step 3: Toss in the riced cauliflower, chopped bell peppers, onions, grated carrots, and minced garlic. Cook everything together, stirring often, until the vegetables are nice and softened. This takes about 5 to 7 minutes and your kitchen will smell incredible!
Step 4: Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Stir the cooked pasta right into the turkey mixture until everything is well combined. Sprinkle that shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, about 5 to 7 minutes!
Easy and Quick Sloppy Joe Casserole Version
Want to make this even faster? You’ve got this! Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of ground turkey – just shred about 3 cups worth. Skip the browning step and go straight to cooking the veggies. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables instead of chopping fresh ones. This cuts your prep time down to just 15 minutes!
Serving Ideas
This hearty casserole is pretty much a complete meal all on its own! Serve it with a simple green salad or some steamed broccoli on the side. Warm dinner rolls or cornbread make it extra special. A dollop of sour cream or some chopped green onions on top adds a nice finishing touch!
Storage
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, just pop individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. It tastes just as good the next day!
Substitutions
No ground turkey? Ground beef, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles work great instead. You can swap the whole-wheat pasta for regular pasta or even gluten-free noodles. Don’t have riced cauliflower? Finely chopped mushrooms or zucchini work wonderfully too. Feel free to use whatever cheese you have on hand – mozzarella or Monterey Jack are delicious alternatives!
Pro Tips
- Cast-iron magic: Using a cast-iron skillet means you can go from stovetop to oven seamlessly, plus it keeps everything nice and hot!
- Veggie prep: Chop all your vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge. This makes weeknight cooking so much easier!
- Cheese perfection: Let the casserole rest for 2-3 minutes after baking so the cheese sets up nicely and doesn’t slide off when you serve it.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika to the sauce for extra depth of flavor.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
You bet! You can assemble the whole thing without the cheese, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Just add the cheese and bake when you’re ready to eat. You might need to add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time since it’s starting cold.
Can I freeze this sloppy joe casserole?
Sure! This freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely first, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. The pasta might be a tiny bit softer after freezing, but it still tastes great!
What if I don’t have a cast-iron skillet?
No worries at all! You can use any large oven-safe skillet or even cook everything in a regular skillet and transfer it to a 9×13 baking dish before adding the cheese and popping it in the oven.
How can I make this spicier for adults?
Great question! Add some diced jalapeños with the other vegetables, or stir in a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce with the tomato sauce. You can also sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top before baking.
I hope your family loves this cozy, comforting casserole as much as mine does! It’s one of those recipes that brings everyone to the table with smiles. Let me know how it turns out for you – I’d love to hear about any fun variations you try!
