Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls Recipe

Sizzling Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Recipe

Sloppy joe casserole changes a classic comfort food into a mouthwatering one-dish wonder that families crave.

Hearty ground beef mixed with tangy sauce creates a robust base for this crowd-pleasing meal.

Layers of melted cheese and soft dinner rolls elevate the traditional sandwich experience to new culinary heights.

Rich, savory flavors combine in a baked masterpiece that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this casserole comes together with minimal prep work.

Crispy edges and gooey center promise a delightful texture that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

dinner will become the most anticipated moment of your day.

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Rolls That Feels Like a Hug

  • Quick and Easy Comfort Meal: This sloppy joe casserole transforms the classic sandwich into a hearty one-pan dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Packed with Flavor Layers: Combining ground beef, tangy tomatoes, zesty ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce creates a rich, complex taste profile that dances across your taste buds.
  • Cheesy and Crispy Topping Delight: Melted cheddar cheese and buttery dinner rolls provide a golden, crispy exterior that adds irresistible texture and a satisfying crunch to each bite.
  • Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults will love this familiar yet elevated dish that brings together the beloved sloppy joe flavors in a convenient, shareable casserole format.

What You’ll Need for Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls

Main Protein:
  • Ground Beef: Hearty and flavorful base for the casserole, choose lean ground beef for less grease.
Vegetables:
  • Onion, Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that add sweetness and crunch to the dish, select firm and vibrant peppers.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, rich flavor to the meat mixture.
Sauce and Seasoning Components:
  • Tomatoes, Ketchup: Tangy base for the sloppy joe sauce, use ripe and high-quality canned tomatoes.
  • Mustard, Relish, Worcestershire Sauce: Condiments that enhance the savory and tangy profile of the dish.
  • Chili Powder: Warm spice that adds depth and mild heat to the casserole.
Cheese and Dairy:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheese that creates a golden, flavorful topping.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden finish on the dinner rolls.
Bread:
  • Dinner Rolls: Soft, warm bread that serves as a delicious topping and side for the casserole.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Oil: Helps prevent sticking and aids in cooking vegetables and meat.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor of the dish.

How to Build and Bake Sloppy Joe Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up the oven to 400°F and get ready for a delicious meal.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

  • Heat oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat
  • Add ground beef and salt
  • Cook while stirring occasionally until beef is fully browned (6 to 8 minutes)
  • Transfer beef to a paper towel-lined plate
  • Discard beef drippings

Step 3: Sauté Vegetables

  • Add remaining oil to the skillet
  • Toss in
  • Onion
  • Bell pepper
  • Remaining salt
  • Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until vegetables soften (4 to 5 minutes)
  • Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant

Step 4: Create Sloppy Joe Mixture

Mix in:
  • Tomatoes
  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Relish
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Chili powder
  • Cooked beef
  • Remaining salt
  • Simmer the mixture for 3 minutes

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

  • Remove skillet from heat
  • Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top
  • Arrange dinner rolls over the mixture
  • Brush rolls with melted butter
  • Bake until rolls are warm and cheese melts (about 10 minutes)

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and serve hot directly from the skillet.

Tips for Juicy Filling and Soft, Toasted Rolls

  • Meat Browning Mastery: Ensure ground beef is browned properly by avoiding overcrowding the skillet, which can steam the meat instead of creating a nice caramelized surface.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle cheese evenly to guarantee complete coverage and a perfect golden-brown top that's irresistibly gooey.
  • Roll Arrangement Pro: Place dinner rolls slightly overlapping (shingling) to create a beautiful presentation and ensure each roll gets crispy edges.
  • Flavor Depth Booster: Let the beef mixture simmer to allow spices and ingredients to meld together, intensifying the overall taste profile.
  • Moisture Control Trick: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy casserole and maintain the ideal sauce consistency.

Best Way to Save Sloppy Joe Casserole for Later

  • Refrigerate leftover Sloppy Joe Casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. For best results, reheat the entire casserole in a preheated 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Avoid repeated reheating to maintain flavor and texture. Discard any leftovers that have been stored for more than 4 days or show signs of spoilage.

Foods That Pair with Sloppy Joe Casserole with Rolls

  • Pair with Crisp Coleslaw: Cut through the richness of the Sloppy Joe Casserole with a tangy, crunchy coleslaw. The fresh cabbage and creamy dressing will balance the hearty, savory flavors of the dish.
  • Serve with Cold Beer: Grab a chilled lager or pale ale to complement the robust meat and zesty sauce. The beer's carbonation and slight bitterness will cleanse your palate between bites.
  • Add Fresh Green Salad: Toss a simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast. The salad's crispness will offset the casserole's rich, meaty texture and add a burst of freshness to the meal.
  • Cool Down with Pickle Spears: Arrange crisp dill pickle spears on the side to cut through the casserole's richness. The pickles' acidity and crunch will enhance the overall dining experience.

Fun Twists on Sloppy Joe Casserole

  • Spicy Southwest Sloppy Joe Casserole: Replace bell peppers with diced jalapeños, add ground cumin, and top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
  • Mediterranean Lamb Sloppy Joe Casserole: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, use feta cheese, add oregano and mint, and replace dinner rolls with pita bread triangles.
  • BBQ Bacon Sloppy Joe Casserole: Mix in crispy chopped bacon, substitute ketchup with BBQ sauce, sprinkle smoked cheddar cheese, and use cornbread rolls instead of dinner rolls.
  • Vegetarian Lentil Sloppy Joe Casserole: Replace ground beef with cooked green lentils, add extra vegetables like mushrooms, use plant-based cheese, and keep the same seasonings for a hearty meatless version.
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Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls Recipe

Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls brings classic comfort to family dinner tables. Hearty ground beef mingles with tangy sauce and pillowy rolls, creating a crowd-pleasing meal you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1 pound ground chuck

Vegetables:

  • 1 small yellow onion, diced (1 ½ cups)
  • 1 medium-size green bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
  • 2 small garlic cloves, grated (about 1 teaspoon)

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes (from 1 14.5-ounce can)
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided

Topping:

  • 4 ounces pre-shredded Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
  • 1 12-ounce package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls (such as King’s Hawaiian), each roll split in half
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 400°F (204°C), preparing a large oven-proof skillet for the culinary journey ahead.
  2. Drizzle of oil into the skillet over medium-high heat, then introduce ground beef seasoned with of salt.
  3. Cook the beef, breaking it into crumbles and stirring periodically, until it achieves a rich, golden-brown color and is thoroughly cooked, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
  4. Transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate, carefully discarding any excess drippings from the skillet.
  5. Introduce the remaining oil into the skillet, then add diced onions, chopped bell peppers, and an additional of salt.
  6. Sauté the vegetables over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until they become tender and slightly translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  7. Incorporate minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for roughly 30 seconds.
  8. Blend in diced tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder with the cooked beef and remaining salt.
  9. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it meld together for 3 minutes, developing rich flavors.
  10. Remove the skillet from heat and generously sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese across the surface.
  11. Arrange dinner rolls in an overlapping pattern across the top of the beef mixture.
  12. Brush the rolls with melted butter to ensure a golden, glossy finish.
  13. Slide the skillet into the preheated oven and bake until the rolls are warmed through and the cheese melts completely, approximately 10 minutes.

Notes

  • Meal Prep Magic: Efficiently brown ground beef and veggies in the same skillet to minimize cleanup and maximize flavor development.
  • Cheese and Rolls Tip: Shingle dinner rolls strategically across the top for a golden, crispy bread layer that soaks up the delicious Sloppy Joe sauce.
  • Sauce Balancing: Combine tangy ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to create a complex, rich flavor profile that elevates the classic Sloppy Joe taste.
  • Temperature Control: Simmer the beef and sauce mixture briefly to meld flavors and reduce excess liquid before topping with cheese and rolls.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the beef and sauce mixture in advance, then assemble and bake just before serving for a quick weeknight dinner.
  • One-Skillet Wonder: Use an oven-proof skillet to streamline cooking and reduce dish washing, making this recipe both delicious and convenient.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 434 kcal
  • Sugar: 13 g
  • Sodium: 920 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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