Description
Sloppy joe pasta casserole brings classic American comfort to dinner tables with hearty ground beef and zesty tomato sauce blanketing tender pasta. Cheesy, meaty goodness creates a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll want to devour in one satisfying scoop.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 16 ounces (454 grams) rotini pasta, cooked
- 30 ounces (2 15-ounce cans) (850 grams) sloppy joe sauce
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
Cheese:
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, incorporating diced onions and green peppers. Cook until meat is fully cooked and vegetables are softened, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, ensuring a clean, lean base for the casserole.
- Pour sloppy joe sauce into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to coat the meat and vegetables evenly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Add cooked rotini pasta directly into the sauce, gently mixing to ensure complete sauce coverage and uniform distribution.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese melts smoothly and integrates with the pasta mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top, creating a complete cheese layer.
- Place in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and slightly bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 3-5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added color and freshness before serving hot.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish.
- Consider using whole wheat pasta for added nutrition and fiber, making the casserole more balanced.
- Add extra vegetables like diced carrots or zucchini to boost the nutritional value and create more texture.
- Swap regular cheese with low-fat or plant-based alternatives for dietary accommodations like lactose intolerance or vegetarian preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 515 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg