Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake
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This Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake takes the comforting flavors of a classic pasta dish and gives them an irresistible twist. While many pasta bakes rely on a traditional herby tomato sauce, this version stands out with its signature sweet and tangy sloppy joe sauce.
The sauce clings to the tender noodles, infusing each bite perfectly with savory richness and zesty sweetness. It’s a delightful spin on a family favorite that combines the heartiness of a pasta bake with the nostalgic flavors of a sloppy joe sandwich, creating a meal that’s as unique as it is delicious. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this dish is sure to please both kids and adults alike!
Velveeta cheese is a key ingredient in this recipe, lending the sauce an extra layer of creaminess and a rich, cheesy flavor that ties the dish together. It’s smooth texture melts beautifully into the pasta, creating a luscious, comforting sauce that makes every bite indulgent. However, the beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility—if you’d prefer to skip the Velveeta to reduce calories or costs, the dish works just as well without it.
The final touch in this recipe is finishing it in the oven, which serves multiple purposes. Baking melts the cheese topping and allows it to bubble and brown, creating a golden, gooey crust that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious. This step also helps to meld the flavors together, giving the dish a cohesive and satisfying taste.
However, if you’re pressed for time, you can finish the dish on the stovetop instead. Simply sprinkle the shredded cheese over the skillet’s contents, cover, and let the dish simmer for a few minutes until the cheese is fully melted. While this shortcut may not give you the browned cheese topping of the oven-baked version, it’s still a quick and tasty way to serve this hearty pasta bake!
Ingredients for Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake
- LEAN GROUND BEEF
- ONION
- MANWICH SAUCE
- CHICKEN BROTH
- PETITE DICED TOMATES
- FARFALLE PASTA
- VELVEETA CHEESE
- CORN
- CHEDDAR CHEESE
Instructions for Sloppy Joe Pasta Casserole
Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set it aside.
Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion. Once fully cooked, drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming oily.
Build the Sauce Base: Stir in the Manwich sauce, chicken broth, and the undrained diced tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet and stir well to combine. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the mixture boil gently for about 13 minutes, or cook pasta until al dente. Stir a few times during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
Incorporate the Remaining Ingredients: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the corn kernels. Next, add the cubed Velveeta cheese, covering the skillet to let the cheese melt. Once melted, lift the lid and gently stir until everything is smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
Bake to Perfection: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together and the cheddar topping to melt beautifully.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Scoop into bowls or plates and enjoy this comforting, cheesy Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake with your loved ones!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While short pastas like rotini, macaroni, or penne pasta work best to hold the sauce, you can use any pasta you have on hand. Just adjust the cooking time slightly for different pasta shapes.
What can I substitute for Manwich sauce?
If you don’t have Manwich, you can create a homemade sloppy joe sauce using ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and yellow mustard for a similar flavor.
Can I add extra vegetables?
Definitely! Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms are great additions to boost the veggie content. Just sauté them along with the onion for the best flavor.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the pasta mixture, transfer it to the casserole dish, and top with cheese. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to bake. When baking from cold, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Can I freeze this sloppy joe casserole?
Yes, Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake freezes well. Assemble the casserole (without baking), cover tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
What can I use instead of Velveeta?
If you don’t have Velveeta, you can leave it out or can use cubed cream cheese instead. Just note that the texture and creaminess may vary slightly.
Can I cook the entire dish on the stovetop?
Yes, you can skip transferring to the oven! Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the cheese until melted, top with shredded cheddar, and let it melt under the skillet’s lid before serving.
What sides go well with this dish?
A simple green side salad, garlic bread, or steamed vegetables make excellent sides to balance out the richness of the pasta bake.
For more recipes like this, try:
- Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Italian Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches
- One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
- Sloppy Joe Cornbread Skillet
Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup onion diced
- 15.5 oz can Manwich sauce
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- ¾ pound farfalle pasta uncooked
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese cubed
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 ½ cups cheddar shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Ina skillet, brown ground beef along with the onion. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add in the Manwich sauce, chicken broth, and undrained diced tomatoes.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then add the pasta and stir to combine. Cover and let it boil gently until al dente, about 13 minutes. Stir a few times so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the corn. Add the cubed Velveeta. Cover on the skillet and allow the cheese to melt. Lift the cover and gently stir to combine.
- Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Top with shredded cheddar.
- Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from The Cozy Cook.
