Description
A hearty and comforting Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole featuring flavorful ground beef in a tangy Sloppy Joe sauce, topped with a golden, fluffy cornbread crust. This easy-to-make casserole combines the classic flavors of Sloppy Joes with a delicious baked cornbread topping, perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- Cooking spray
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1½ cups ketchup
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cornbread Topping
- 2 (8.5-ounce) packages corn muffin mix (such as Jiffy)
- â…” cup whole milk
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground chuck and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until almost fully browned, about 4 minutes. Add the chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Make the Sloppy Joe Mixture: Stir in the tomato paste and cook while stirring constantly until it darkens slightly, around 2 minutes. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom for extra flavor. Stir in ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the sauce thickens and bubbles, about 7 minutes. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the Cornbread Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the corn muffin mix, whole milk, baking powder, and eggs until fully combined and smooth. Spoon the cornbread batter evenly over the Sloppy Joe mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your warm, comforting Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground chuck with ground turkey or beef for a leaner option.
- For a spicier version, add a dash of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños with the bell pepper.
- If you don’t have corn muffin mix, you can use your favorite cornbread recipe batter.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a thicker Sloppy Joe sauce, simmer a bit longer before adding the cornbread topping.
