When it comes to easy family dinners that taste amazing, few dishes compare to the iconic Sloppy Joe. But when you convert that sweet, tangy, saucy classic into a bubbling, cheesy, oven-baked casserole, you get something even more irresistible: the Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich. It’s hearty, comforting, loaded with flavor, and incredibly simple—thanks to the convenience of Manwich, the beloved sauce that brings instant Sloppy Joe goodness.
This casserole is the perfect blend of tradition and modern comfort food: the rich Sloppy Joe filling, the tender pasta or biscuit topping (depending on your preference), the melted cheese throughout, and the baked finish that makes everything come together beautifully. Whether you’re cooking for kids, hosting a casual gathering, or simply craving something bold and satisfying, this casserole will become one of your go-to dinner recipes.
In this article, we’ll explore every detail: ingredients, how to prepare the dish, step-by-step instructions, tips and variations, storage, serving suggestions, prep time, and calories. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to make the BEST Sloppy Joe Casserole your family has ever tasted.
Ingredients
Below is the classic version of Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich using pasta and cheese. A biscuit or tater-tot version is also included in the variations section later.
Sloppy Joe Meat Filling
1 ½ lbs ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
1 medium onion, diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) Manwich Original (or Bold/Thick & Chunky)
1 cup beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Casserole Base
12 oz rotini, penne, elbow macaroni, or bowtie pasta
1–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese
½ cup sour cream
2 tbsp butter
½ tsp garlic powder
Topping
1 cup cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
Fresh parsley (optional, for serving)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time on Stovetop: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 50–60 minutes
Instructions
Follow these steps for a truly perfect Sloppy Joe Casserole:
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook until al dente (usually 8–10 minutes depending on shape).
Drain, then stir in the butter and garlic powder to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat.
Add onions, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until vegetables soften (about 5 minutes).
Drain excess grease.
Stir in:
Manwich
beef broth
Worcestershire sauce
smoked paprika
salt & pepper
Simmer the mixture for 5–7 minutes, allowing flavors to blend and sauce to thicken slightly.
3. Build the Casserole
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, combine:
cooked pasta
sloppy joe meat mixture
sour cream
1–2 cups cheddar
mozzarella
Mix until everything is evenly coated and cheesy.
4. Bake
Transfer mixture into the baking dish.
Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbling and golden around the edges.
5. Serve
Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley for color and freshness.
How to Prepare the Recipe – Detailed Breakdown
Let’s dig deeper into every stage of the preparation process so you can achieve restaurant-level results at home.
Why Manwich Makes This Recipe Perfect
Manwich is known for:
balanced sweetness
bold tomato flavor
perfect consistency
ideal blend of spices
It eliminates the need to measure ketchup, tomato sauce, mustard, and seasonings. You open the can, pour, and everything transforms instantly into a classic sloppy joe.
Building the Best Sloppy Joe Meat Base
Ground beef is traditional, but the key to richness is browning it properly. Allowing the beef to caramelize slightly enhances the depth of flavor. Adding diced onions and pepper creates textural contrast and adds sweetness. The garlic rounds out the savory profile.
Simmering the meat with broth and Manwich ensures:
juicier casserole
extra flavor absorption
better coating on pasta
Worcestershire sauce adds umami, while smoked paprika offers warmth.
Why Pasta Makes This Casserole Special
Pasta absorbs Sloppy Joe sauce beautifully and provides a hearty base. Rotini and penne are ideal because they trap sauce in their grooves, but elbows and bowties work well too.
Coating the pasta with sour cream adds:
creaminess
slight tang
luscious texture
Mozzarella brings stretchiness, while cheddar adds sharp flavor.
Baking Brings the Magic Together
Once baked, the casserole:
thickens
becomes creamy
develops golden cheesy pockets
tastes even more like comfort food
Resting after baking is essential for clean slices and perfectly set layers.
Pro Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Casserole
1. Don’t overcook the pasta
Al dente gives the best texture after baking.
2. Add bacon
Crispy bacon pieces stirred into the mixture make it smoky and irresistible.
3. Add veggies for more bulk
Corn, diced carrots, peas, or mushrooms are excellent additions.
4. Use a blend of cheeses
Cheddar for flavor, mozzarella for melt… or add Monterey Jack for creaminess.
5. Let it rest before serving
This helps everything set and become sliceable.
6. Spice it up
Add jalapeños, chili flakes, or pepper jack cheese.
7. Serve with bread
Garlic bread, dinner rolls, or Texas toast take it over the top.
Variations You’ll Love
This recipe is incredibly versatile! Try these alternatives:
Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
Replace pasta with:
refrigerated biscuit dough (quartered)
Layer biscuits with sloppy joe mixture and cheese, then bake 30–35 minutes. Fluffy, cheesy, delicious.
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Replace pasta with:
a full layer of frozen tater tots on top
Bake until tots are extra crispy.
Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole
Top the sloppy joe mixture with:
1 box cornbread batter (mixed according to package)
Bake 25–30 minutes. Sweet, savory, amazing.
Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese Bake
Mix sloppy joe filling with:
homemade mac and cheese
Bake with cheddar on top until bubbling.
Sloppy Joe Sliders Casserole
Pour the mixture over:
Hawaiian rolls (bottom half only)
Cover with cheese, top with remaining rolls brushed with garlic butter, and bake.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
Freezer:
Freeze up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat:
Warm in microwave or oven until heated through.
Calories (Per Serving)
This casserole yields 8 servings.
Estimated per serving:
Calories: 430–520
Protein: 27g
Carbs: 35–42g
Fat: 22–28g
Fiber: 2–3g
(Varies based on cheese and pasta type.)
Final Thoughts
The Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food. It’s incredibly easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers maximum flavor. Whether you serve it on a busy weeknight or bring it to a potluck, it will become one of those recipes people request again and again.