There are some nights when the thought of making a complicated dinner feels like climbing a mountain. You’re tired, the kids are hungry, and you just want something warm, comforting, and fast.
I remember those days vividly. Juggling work and family often left me staring into the fridge, praying for inspiration. That’s how this recipe was born, out of a need for something easy that still felt like a real, satisfying meal.
This Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole combines two childhood favorites into one incredible dish. It’s the savory, tangy goodness of sloppy joes baked under a blanket of cheesy, golden-brown biscuits. It’s pure comfort in a baking dish, and it comes together with minimal fuss.
It has become our go-to for busy weeknights, game days, and potlucks. I promise, once you make it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
What You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step. The list is simple, using pantry staples you might already have on hand.
- Ground Beef: 1 pound of lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works best).
- Onion: 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped.
- Green Bell Pepper: 1/2 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional but recommended).
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced.
- Ketchup: 1 cup.
- Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons, packed.
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 tablespoon.
- Yellow Mustard: 1 tablespoon.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
- Cheddar Cheese: 1 1/2 cups, shredded.
- Refrigerated Biscuits: 1 (16.3 ounce) can of large refrigerated biscuits (like Pillsbury Grands!).
- Butter: 2 tablespoons, melted.
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
This recipe is straightforward. We’ll make the sloppy joe filling, assemble the casserole, and bake it to perfection.
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish so nothing sticks.
Step 2: Cook the Beef and Veggies
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and bell pepper. Break the beef apart with a spatula until it’s browned and crumbled. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Step 3: Drain the Grease
This is a crucial step! Carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet. This prevents the casserole from becoming soggy later on.
Step 4: Create the Sloppy Joe Filling
Return the skillet to medium heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until you can smell it. Then, add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to blend together beautifully.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the sloppy joe mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Open the can of biscuits and arrange them on top of the cheese layer. Try not to overlap them too much.
Step 6: Prepare the Biscuit Topping
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and garlic powder together. Brush this glorious garlic butter mixture over the tops of the biscuits. It makes them extra golden and delicious.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the biscuits.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the filling is bubbly and the biscuits are a deep golden brown and cooked through.
Step 8: Rest and Serve
Let the casserole cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps it set, making it easier to cut and serve. Enjoy!
Pro Tips
After making this dish more times than I can count, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make a real difference.
- Don’t Skip Draining: Seriously, drain that grease thoroughly. A greasy filling leads to a soggy bottom, and nobody wants that. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to hold back the meat while you pour the grease into a heatproof container.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but it’s coated in starches that prevent it from melting as smoothly. Grating a block of cheddar yourself results in a much creamier, meltier cheese layer.
- Give Biscuits Space: When you place the biscuits on top, leave a little room between them. This allows heat to circulate, ensuring the sides of the biscuits cook through just as well as the tops and bottoms.
- Check for Doneness: Ovens can vary. If the biscuits are browning too quickly but you suspect they aren’t cooked through, you can loosely cover the casserole with aluminum foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this casserole is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Protein Swap: Not a fan of ground beef? Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based crumbles work wonderfully in this recipe.
- Spice It Up: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or some diced jalapeños to the sloppy joe mixture.
- Veggie Boost: Feel free to add more vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, shredded carrots, or diced zucchini can be mixed right in with the beef and onions.
- Cheese Please: Swap the cheddar for Monterey Jack, a Colby blend, or even some pepper jack for a spicy twist.
- Biscuit Variations: Use flaky layers biscuits, buttermilk biscuits, or even the cheddar garlic variety for an extra flavor punch.
Tools Required
You don’t need any fancy equipment for this recipe, just some kitchen basics.
- Large Skillet
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish
- Spatula or Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Small Bowl
- Pastry Brush
| Course | Suggestion | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Side Dish | Simple Green Salad | Cuts the richness |
| Vegetable | Steamed Green Beans | Adds a fresh crunch |
| Classic Side | Creamy Coleslaw | A cool, tangy contrast |
Make Ahead Tips
You can easily prepare parts of this dish ahead of time to make dinner even faster.
Prepare the sloppy joe filling completely (Steps 2-4). Let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat, just pour the cold filling into the baking dish, top with cheese and biscuits, and bake as directed. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since the filling is cold.
| Dietary Goal | Ingredient to Swap | Suggested Substitution |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Carb | Refrigerated Biscuits | Use a low-carb biscuit mix |
| Lower Sugar | Ketchup & Brown Sugar | No-sugar-added ketchup & a sugar substitute |
| Gluten-Free | Biscuits & Worcestershire | GF biscuits & GF tamari or Worcestershire |
| Vegetarian | Ground Beef | Plant-based crumbles or lentils |
Nutritional Information (Approximate): Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. This calculation is for one serving, assuming the casserole makes 8 servings.
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
Leftovers and Storage
If you happen to have any leftovers, they store very well.
Allow the casserole to cool completely. You can either cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick fix. For best results, reheat it in an oven at 350°F until warmed through. This will help crisp the biscuits back up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to a few common questions you might have.
Q1. Can I use homemade biscuits for this recipe?
Ans: Absolutely! If you have a favorite recipe for homemade biscuits, feel free to use it. Prepare your biscuit dough, cut it out, and arrange the raw biscuits on top of the filling just as you would with the refrigerated kind. You may need to adjust the baking time based on your recipe’s instructions.
Q2. My casserole came out a little watery. What went wrong?
Ans: The most common reason for a watery casserole is not draining the grease from the ground beef properly. Another possibility is not letting the sloppy joe mixture simmer long enough to thicken. Giving it those few extra minutes on the stove can make a big difference.
Q3. Can I freeze this casserole?
Ans: Yes, you can. For best results, assemble the casserole without the biscuits and freeze it in a freezer-safe dish for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, top with fresh biscuits and bake as directed. Baking from a thawed but cold state might require an extra 10-15 minutes.
Q4. How do I know the biscuits are fully cooked on the bottom?
Ans: The tops will be a beautiful golden brown. To check the bottom, you can gently lift the edge of one of the center biscuits with a spatula. It should look dry and cooked, not doughy. Following the 20-25 minute bake time at 375°F is usually very reliable.
Wrapping Up
This Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for those busy days when you need a win at the dinner table. It’s warm, hearty, and brings a smile to everyone’s face.
The combination of savory meat, melted cheese, and soft, buttery biscuits is hard to beat. It’s a dish that feels special but is secretly so simple to make.
I truly hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, please come back and leave a comment below. I would love to hear how it turned out for you or if you added your own unique spin to it!
