If you love sloppy joes and cheesy pasta, this casserole brings both together in one warm, comforting dish. It’s the kind of recipe that feels straight out of a community cookbook—simple ingredients, big flavor, and built to feed a hungry family.
The best part? You don’t even need to boil the pasta. Everything bakes together in one dish, creating tender penne coated in rich, tangy sloppy joe sauce and topped with melty cheddar cheese.
It’s easy, hearty, and guaranteed to become a repeat favorite.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 simple ingredients
- No need to boil pasta
- One-pan, easy cleanup
- Family-friendly and filling
- Perfect for meal prep or leftovers
🛒 Ingredients
- 12 oz uncooked penne pasta
- 1 lb lean ground beef, browned and drained
- 2 (15 oz) cans sloppy joe sauce
- 2 cups beef broth (or water)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Add the pasta
Spread the uncooked penne evenly in the bottom of the dish.
3. Cook the beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned.
Drain excess grease.
4. Make the sauce
Add sloppy joe sauce and beef broth to the beef.
Stir until smooth and pourable.
5. Combine
Pour the meat mixture evenly over the pasta.
Press down gently so most of the pasta is covered with liquid.
6. Add first cheese layer
Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese over the top.
7. Bake covered
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, until pasta is tender.
8. Finish with cheese
Remove foil, add remaining 1 cup cheese, and bake uncovered for 8–10 minutes until melted and bubbly.
9. Rest & serve
Let sit for 5–10 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
This casserole is hearty, so keep sides simple:
- Green salad with vinaigrette
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
- Coleslaw for a tangy contrast
🔄 Variations & Tips
- Add veggies: Corn or diced bell peppers
- Swap protein: Use ground turkey or half turkey + beef
- Cheese mix: Add mozzarella for stretch or pepper jack for spice
- Extra saucy: Add ½ cup more broth
- Crunchy topping: Add crushed butter crackers before final bake
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store in fridge up to 4–5 days
- Reheat with a splash of water to keep it moist
- Great for meal prep lunches
📝 Final Thoughts
This Sloppy Joe Penne Casserole is the definition of easy comfort food. It’s rich, cheesy, and packed with that nostalgic sloppy joe flavor—only now in a cozy, baked pasta form.
Perfect for busy nights, big families, or anyone craving something warm and satisfying without a lot of effort.