Hearty Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls Recipe – Family Favorite

Comfort food reaches new heights with this irresistible sloppy joe casserole that blends hearty flavors and cheesy goodness.

Ground beef sizzles with tangy sauce, creating a mouthwatering base for this crowd-pleasing dish.

Soft dinner rolls nestle perfectly into the meaty mixture, soaking up every delicious drop of flavor.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of rich, savory meat and pillowy bread that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

The casserole comes together quickly, making it an ideal weeknight meal that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Melted cheese adds a golden, gooey layer that turns this simple recipe into a showstopper.

From the first forkful to the last, you’ll understand why this sloppy joe casserole becomes an instant dinner favorite.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to become the mealtime hero everyone will praise.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Calories: 405 kcal

Servings: 7

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Dinner Rolls – Ingredients List

• Ground Beef: Provides hearty, rich flavor and substantial texture; choose lean cuts for healthier option.
• Salt: Enhances meat's natural taste and helps tenderize the beef during cooking.

• Onion, Bell Pepper: Adds depth, sweetness, and vibrant color; select fresh, firm vegetables with bright, glossy appearance.
• Garlic: Delivers aromatic intensity and robust undertone; opt for firm, compact cloves without sprouting.

• Tomatoes, Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Worcestershire Sauce: Creates tangy, complex flavor profile; pick high-quality, fresh condiments for best results.
• Chili Powder: Introduces warm, slightly spicy kick; choose fresh, fragrant blend.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides creamy, sharp finish; select aged variety for deeper flavor.
• Dinner Rolls: Offers soft, comforting base; look for fresh, soft rolls with golden crust.
• Butter: Adds rich, golden sheen and enhances roll's texture; use unsalted for better control of salt content.
• Cooking Oil: Ensures smooth, even cooking; choose neutral-flavored oil with high smoke point.

Tools to Prep Sloppy Joe Casserole with Ease

• Large oven-proof skillet: Essential for cooking and baking the entire dish.
• Plate with paper towels: Helps drain excess fat from cooked ground beef.
• Cheese grater: Useful for shredding fresh Cheddar cheese.
• Pastry brush: Perfect for brushing melted butter on dinner rolls.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and spices.

Instructions to Make Sloppy Joe Casserole with Rolls

• Beef Browning A sizzling skillet transforms ground beef into a golden, crispy delight. Cook the meat until it develops rich, caramelized edges, releasing deep flavors.
• Veggie Magic Colorful onions and bell peppers dance in the pan, softening and releasing their sweet aromatics. A quick garlic burst adds a punchy undertone.
• Sauce Symphony Combine tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, and zesty seasonings to create a tangy, robust sauce that hugs the meat and vegetables.
• Cheese and Roll Crown Top the bubbling mixture with melted cheddar and arrange dinner rolls across the surface. A brush of golden butter adds a luxurious finish.
• Oven Transformation Slide the skillet into a hot oven, allowing the rolls to warm and the cheese to transform into a molten blanket. In minutes, a comforting meal emerges, ready to satisfy hungry souls.

Toppings, Swaps & Tips for Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian twist on the classic recipe.
• Experiment with different cheese types like pepper jack for heat, Swiss for nuttiness, or a Mexican blend for extra zest.
• Add diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat level and create a more intense flavor profile.
• Prepare the beef mixture in advance and refrigerate, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for a convenient meal prep option.

Serving Sloppy Joe Casserole the Fun Way

• Serve Alongside Fresh Sides: Pair this hearty casserole with crisp green salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the richness of the meat and cheese.
• Garnish with Zesty Toppings: Sprinkle chopped green onions, fresh parsley, or pickled jalapeños on top for an extra burst of flavor and color.
• Create Family-Style Dining: Place the skillet directly on the table for a casual, communal meal where everyone can dig in and serve themselves.
• Complement with Cool Beverages: Offer cold drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or chilled root beer to refresh the palate and complement the savory casserole.

How to Store Sloppy Joe Casserole with Rolls

• Refrigerate Leftovers Quickly: Store remaining casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack cooled casserole in freezer-safe containers, keeping for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent rolls from burning and cheese from drying out.
• Batch Cooking Strategy: Double the recipe and save half for a quick weeknight dinner. Separate into individual portions for easy grab-and-go meals during busy weeks.

Hearty Sloppy Joe Casserole With Dinner Rolls Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Sloppy Joe Casserole melts classic sandwich flavors into a comforting one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. Melted cheese, savory ground beef, and fluffy dinner rolls combine for a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb ground chuck
• 2 tsp olive oil, divided
• 1 small yellow onion, diced (1 ½ cups)
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
• 2 small garlic cloves, grated (about 1 tsp)
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes (from 1 14.5-oz can)
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tbsps yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
• 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 ½ tsps kosher salt
• 4 oz pre-shredded Cheddar cheese (about 1 cup)
• 1 12-oz package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls (such as King’s Hawaiian), each roll split in half
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 400°F (204°C) and ready a large oven-proof skillet for the culinary adventure.
2. Brown the Beef: Sizzle oil in the skillet over medium-high heat, adding ground beef with a pinch of salt. Crumble and cook until richly golden and fully done, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Vegetable Transformation: Remove beef, then sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic in the same skillet until tender and fragrant, roughly 4-5 minutes.
4. Flavor Fusion: Reunite the beef with sautéed vegetables, stirring in diced tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder. Simmer for 3 minutes to marry the flavors.
5. Cheese and Topping Finale: Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the mixture, artfully arrange dinner rolls on top, and brush with melted butter.
6. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake until rolls are golden and cheese melts completely, approximately 10 minutes.

Notes

• Beef Browning Tip: Ensure ground beef is fully browned and crumbled for maximum flavor and texture, preventing any raw meat spots.
• Vegetable Sauté Secret: Cook onions and peppers until slightly translucent to release natural sweetness and develop deeper flavor profile.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Sprinkle cheese evenly before adding rolls to create a gooey, integrated bottom layer that binds the casserole together.
• Roll Placement Trick: Arrange dinner rolls slightly overlapping to create a beautiful golden-brown top and ensure even heating throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 405
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 835 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg