This easy, one-pot sloppy joe casserole is a dinner favorite the whole family will love. Skip burger buns: top your sloppy joe with cheese and biscuits and bake it all in one pan. It’s an ideal weeknight meal—simple to prepare ahead, packed with vegetables and protein, and pure comfort food.
Sloppy joes are nostalgic and a longtime favorite. Over the years I found myself serving the mixture open-faced over biscuits rather than in buns, and that idea evolved into this casserole. It’s become our go-to because it’s comforting, simple, and adaptable.
This one-pan dinner is cozy, easy to make ahead on busy nights, and versatile enough for both kids and adults. It also reheats well, making it convenient for leftovers or meal prep.
Why We Love This Sloppy Joe Casserole
Biscuits are my favorite way to finish this dish. Served open-faced over buttery biscuits and topped with melty cheese, the sloppy joe mixture becomes a hearty casserole that’s easy to prepare and crowd-pleasing. It’s a simple concept with big flavor.
This sloppy joe casserole recipe:
- is quick and straightforward to prepare
- works for both kid-friendly and grown-up meals
- is a complete dinner made in one pan
- is protein- and veggie-packed, delivering satisfying comfort
Ingredient Notes
See the recipe card below for exact measurements and the full ingredient list.
- Ground turkey or ground beef: Ground turkey keeps the dish leaner and produces less grease; lean ground beef can be used if you prefer. For turkey, 85–93% lean works well—avoid very low-fat (99%) varieties for best texture and flavor.
- Biscuits: Canned refrigerated biscuits are convenient, but homemade biscuits also work great. Thinner biscuits spread over the topping bake more evenly.
- Bell peppers: The recipe uses one red and one green bell pepper, but any color combination is fine.
Ways To Vary This Recipe
- Change the cheese: Cheddar or Monterey Jack are classic choices, but any melty shredded cheese will work.
- Boost the sauce flavor: Add a dash of yellow mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, or swap maple syrup for brown sugar for a different profile.
- Bake biscuits separately: If you’re short on time, melt the cheese first and bake the biscuits on a separate sheet, finishing everything together.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Whisk the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Use one cup of tomato sauce for a thicker sauce, or up to 1 1/3 cups for a thinner consistency.
Step 2: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add diced onion and tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes until the tomato paste browns slightly.
Step 3: Add the bell peppers and cook 3–5 minutes until softened. Push the vegetables to the side and add the ground meat. Let it sear for 2–3 minutes before breaking it into smaller pieces, and continue cooking until browned (turkey to 165°F internal temperature).
Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the prepared sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine the meat, vegetables, and sauce.
Step 5: Let the mixture simmer 5–6 minutes to thicken slightly.
Step 6: Sprinkle shredded cheese across the top. Peel each refrigerated biscuit in half at the center to make two thinner rounds, then arrange them over the sloppy joe mixture. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer everything to a casserole dish.
Step 7: Bake 15–20 minutes or until the biscuits are golden and cooked through. Brushing the biscuit tops with melted butter before serving adds extra flavor.
Step 8: Let the pan rest for about 10 minutes so the filling firms slightly. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired, then serve and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
Doneness for biscuits: The biscuits should reach an internal temperature of at least 177°F to ensure they’re cooked through, especially when baked over a saucy filling.
Adjust sauce thickness: Use less tomato sauce for a thicker mixture or the full amount for a saucier casserole. Start with one cup if you prefer thicker consistency.
Make ahead: Prepare the sloppy joe mixture up to one day in advance. Refrigerate the filling, then add cheese and biscuits about 30 minutes before baking and follow the baking time directions.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes; tent the biscuits with foil if they are browning too quickly.
To freeze, cool the meat mixture completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing the meat filling only, then baking fresh biscuits when reheating for best texture, though you can freeze the assembled casserole if preferred.
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One-Pan Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 1 – 1⅓ cup tomato sauce (no salt added preferred)
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1–2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt, more or less to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 bell peppers (we use 1 red and 1 green)
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef
- 1 – 1½ cup shredded cheese, about 4 oz (optional)
- 4–5 refrigerated biscuits, halved (grands Buttermilk recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat with about 1 tablespoon oil. Sauté garlic 1 minute, add onions and tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes. Add bell peppers and cook 3–5 minutes to soften.
- Push vegetables to the side and add ground meat. Let sear 2–3 minutes, then break into smaller pieces and cook until browned (turkey to 165°F).
- Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in the sauce. Stir to combine and let simmer 5–6 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the mixture. Split biscuits in half to make thinner rounds and arrange them over the top.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until biscuits are golden and cooked through. Brush with melted butter if desired. Let rest 10 minutes, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.
Notes
Biscuits doneness: The biscuits should reach 177°F internally to ensure they’re fully cooked when baked on top of the casserole.
Sauce consistency: Reduce the tomato sauce for a thicker filling or add more for a saucier result. Using a whole can may be too thin for some preferences.
Prep ahead: Prepare the meat mixture up to one day ahead. When ready to bake, add cheese and biscuits and bake until bubbling and golden.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days. Reheat at 350°F for 15–20 minutes. To freeze, cool completely and freeze the meat mixture for up to 3 months; bake fresh biscuits when reheating for best texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 640 kcal • Carbohydrates: 46 g • Protein: 46 g • Fat: 32 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.