Indulge in the ultimate comfort food mash-up with my mouth-watering Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole!
Picture this: hearty, flavorful, sloppy joe meat nestled beneath a golden canopy of cheesy cornbread goodness. Brace yourself for an easy, heartwarming dinner that will have the entire family craving seconds!
I love combining my favorite flavors into one delicious dish, and like my Hamburger Noodle Casserole and Mexican Beef Rice Skillet, this Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole is a perfect example.
You might also have seen this tasty casserole called Sloppy Joe Bake, Sloppy Joe Cornbread Bake, or Cowboy Cornbread Casserole, but whatever you call it, it’s the ultimate family-friendly feast. Add a serving of these Quick and Easy Skillet Green Beans, and you will have a feast!
Cornbread is known for its warm, homey, rustic taste, and when you combine it with cheese and a savory, slightly sweet, and tangy sloppy joe filling, you have the perfect meal!
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Reasons you will love this recipe:
- Simple ingredients. This easy casserole recipe features a simple made-from-scratch sloppy joe filling and the convenience of using your favorite boxed cornbread mix!
- Feeds a crowd. This recipe makes nine servings, a simple and satisfying meal the whole family will love.
- Family-friendly. Since it’s ready in under an hour, it’s an easy dinner for busy weeknights.
Ingredients notes:
- Ground beef – this recipe calls for lean ground beef, which means it has a maximum of 17% fat. You can also substitute regular ground beef, which has a maximum of 30% fat. If you are concerned with the amount of fat, you might consider rinsing the drained cooked ground beef with water before combining it with the other ingredients.
- Salt and pepper – Enhances all of the other flavors!
- Aromatics – The classic combination of onion and garlic creates the perfect flavor base for the beef mixture.
- Sauce – Instead of a purchased sauce, this recipe calls for a simple, sweet, salty, and tangy combo of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard.
- Green chilies – For just a bit of spice.
- Cornbread mix – I use Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix but feel free to use any brand of cornbread mix you like. You can also make homemade cornbread and use that batter instead.
- Eggs and milk – To add moisture and give the cornbread layer its structure.
- Cheese – I use Colby jack cheese, but cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend would also be delicious.
See the printable recipe card below for the ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions!
How to make Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole:
This sloppy joe cornbread casserole recipe makes the perfect easy weeknight meal! Just 20 minutes of prep before the oven takes over and does all the heavy lifting.
- Preheat the oven to 375℉ and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper to a large skillet. Brown and crumble the beef over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic to beef and cook for 3-5 minutes more or until the onions are translucent. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Drain the water from the green chilies and add them to the meat mixture in the skillet, along with the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Stir to combine all of the ingredients and set the skillet aside.
- Whisk the Jiffy mix, eggs, and milk together in a mixing bowl, until the batter is smooth.
- Fold the shredded cheese into the cornbread batter until it is distributed.
- Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- Spoon the cornbread mixture on top of the beef. Spread the batter gently into an even layer.
- Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked all the way through. To see if the cornbread is done, insert a clean toothpick in the center. If batter is stuck to the toothpick, continue to bake for a few more minutes.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
Serving suggestions:
This cornbread casserole is a hearty meal on its own, but if we are having company, I like to pair it with one or more of these side dishes:
- Mexican Chopped Salad
- Redneck Caviar
- Baked Sweet Potato Slices
- Tomato, Avocado, Feta Salad
- Watermelon Feta Salad
- Roasted Green Beans with Bacon
- Copper Pennies
- Broccoli Salad
For dessert, a scoop of my Homemade Gingerbread Ice Cream, Bourbon Ice Cream, or Pralines and Cream Ice Cream would round out things nicely.
Recipe variations:
If you like a bit of heat, add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to the ground beef mixture for a spicy kick.
Mix things up by adding black beans, or corn, and Tex-Mex spices to the sloppy joe mixture. Add chili powder or cumin to the cornbread batter for a southwestern twist.
Replace the sloppy joe sauce with barbecue sauce for a smoky, tangy flavor. You can also replace the beef with shredded barbecue chicken or pulled pork.
How to store and reheat leftovers:
Leftover sloppy joe cornbread casserole can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F. If your casserole is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from drying out. Reheat for about 20-30 minutes or until it’s heated through.
Recipe FAQs:
Sloppy Joe refers to the sandwich itself, while Manwich is a store-bought variety of canned sloppy joe mix!
The best way to tell that the cornbread is done baking is to insert a toothpick into the center of the casserole. If it comes out clean, then the casserole is ready to go. if it comes out with uncooked batter on it, it needs a few more minutes.
Be sure that you’re inserting the toothpick just into the cornbread layer!
Totally! To make your cornbread casserole ahead of time, bake it as directed, let it cool completely, then wrap the casserole dish tightly in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil.
Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the oven!
Expert tips and tricks:
- If you want to save some extra time, skip the homemade sloppy joe filling and use a canned Sloppy Joe mix such as Manwich.
- I like to use Jiffy Corn Muffin mix, but you can use any brand you prefer—just make sure you adjust the eggs and milk amount according to the specific package instructions.
- Want less spice? Swap the green chilies out for chopped red bell pepper or green bell pepper—add the pepper in when you add in the onions and garlic.
- Ground beef is the classic sloppy joe meat, but you can swap it out for ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Don’t hesitate to taste the sloppy joe mixture as you cook and adjust the seasonings if needed. Cooking is about personal taste, so make it just right for you.
- If you have picky eaters who would balk at the onion, leave it out and add a teaspoon of onion powder to the filling.
More casserole recipes you will love:
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Easy Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13 inch oven-safe baking dish
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 medium white or yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 4 ounces diced green chilies, drained
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 8.5 ounce boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and pepper to a large skillet. Brown and crumble the beef over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic to beef and cook for 3-5 minutes more or until the onions are translucent. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Drain the water from the green chilies and add them to the meat mixture in the skillet, along with the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Stir to combine all of the ingredients and set the skillet aside.
- Whisk the Jiffy mix, eggs, and milk together in a mixing bowl, until the batter is smooth.
- Fold the shredded cheese into the cornbread batter until it is distributed.
- Pour the beef mixture into the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- Spoon the cornbread mixture on top of the beef. Spread the batter gently into an even layer.
- Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and cooked all the way through. To see if the cornbread is done, insert a clean toothpick in the center. If batter is stuck to the toothpick, continue to bake for a few more minutes.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
Brittany
My family loved this recipe! Even my picky toddler 😊
Margaret Groves
Made this for family night supper and everyone agreed that it’s a winner. So easy to make and very delicious. I used 2 lbs of ground chuck and just increased the other ingredients slightly. The cornbread to filling ratio worked out great. Keeps its structure when sliced into servings.
Sharon Rigsby
Hey Margaret,
I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it, and thank you, too, for leaving such a sweet comment!
All the best,
Sharon