Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich

 

Cheesy • Hearty • Family-Friendly Comfort Food

This Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich is everything you love about classic sloppy joes — savory beef, tangy sauce, soft noodles, and melty cheese — baked together into one warm and comforting dish. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, budget-friendly, and perfect for picky eaters. Plus, it’s a delicious way to use leftover Manwich or any canned sloppy joe sauce!

Ingredients

For the Beef Mixture

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional but recommended)
• 1 can (15–16 oz) Manwich sloppy joe sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional for depth)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

For the Casserole

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (or any small pasta)
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup beef broth or water (helps loosen the sauce)
• Optional toppings: sliced green onions, crushed chips, parsley

Instructions

1 Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 7–8 minutes.
3. Drain and set aside.

2 Brown the Beef

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef and diced onion (plus bell pepper if using).
3. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the meat as it browns.
4. Drain excess grease.

3 Add the Manwich & Sauce Ingredients

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Stir in the Manwich, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
3. Add ½ cup beef broth to loosen the sauce (optional but makes the casserole creamier).
4. Simmer for 3–5 minutes to blend flavors.

4 Combine Everything

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine:
   • cooked pasta
   • sloppy joe mixture
   • ½ cup cheddar cheese
   • sour cream
2. Stir until completely coated and creamy.

5 Transfer to a Baking Dish

• Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
• Pour the mixture into the dish and smooth the top.

6 Add Cheese & Bake

1. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella on top.
2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.

Optional: Broil for the last 2 minutes to brown the top.

7 Serve

Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.

Serve with:

• A simple green salad
• Corn
• Steamed veggies
• Garlic bread

 Tips & Variations

• Make it Spicy

Add diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or use Manwich Bold.

• Make it Cheesy

Add cream cheese, Monterey Jack, or Velveeta for extra richness.

• Add Veggies

Corn, peas, mushrooms, or diced tomatoes work great.

• Tater Tot Version

Replace pasta with a layer of tater tots on top — bake until crispy!

• Biscuit Version

Top with canned biscuit dough and bake until golden.