Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

Sloppy joe cornbread casserole is a hearty and comforting hot dish made with tangy, savory sloppy joe meat then piled with sweet cornbread on top.

Why this recipe works

The flavors in this dish complement each other so well with a sweet but tangy combo you didn’t know you needed! This sloppy joe cornbread casserole is another fun play on our classic sloppy joe recipe, similar to our sloppy joe cornbread muffins but in a family-friendly fashion. It’s also a budget friendly family dinner!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

MEAT – You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken, or even do a mixture of different meats to your preference.

CORNBREAD – For a thicker cornbread layer, you could use two packages of cornbread mix – cook time may need to be adjusted if so. Use a toothpick to check for doneness. Easily swap the boxed mix for a homemade cornbread if preferred.

How to Make Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray an 8×8 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Saute ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in a skillet over medium heat until the ground beef is browned and the onion is soft and translucent. Drain the excess fat/liquid.
3. To the ground beef mixture, add garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and salt and pepper to taste, along with 1⁄2 cup water. Mix thoroughly.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Transfer cooked sloppy joe mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
6. Whisk together cornbread mix, egg, and milk until combined. Spoon over the top of the sloppy joe mixture and carefully spread to cover the mixture.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Yes, simply double the recipe for a 13×9 dish. Because you are doubling, you may need to add extra time in the oven. Use the toothpick method to check for doneness.

Store the casserole in an air-tight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze this casserole for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

Sloppy joe cornbread casserole would be great with a dollop of sour cream on top. This dish doesn’t really need any sides, but if you’d like to add a veggie I would recommend green beans, broccoli, or roasted carrots. Serve warm from the oven and enjoy!

For even more flavor in this casserole, try using our bacon sloppy joe recipe. With all the same tasty components, but with the addition of everyone’s favorite – bacon.

More Casserole Recipes

• Dorito Casserole
• Ground Beef Casserole
• Mexican Chicken Casserole
• Chicken Noodle Casserole
• Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Reuben Casserole
• More comfort food ground beef casseroles

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

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