Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread Crust Recipe

I was lookin for a dinner that was messy yet super comforting so i decided to try this sloppy joe casserole with a sweet golden cornbread top that totally took me back to those late nights in a cramped kitchen where every bite felt like home.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: A protein-rich ingredient that adds savory flavor and a hearty texture.
• Onion: Provides fiber and subtle sweetness, enhancing the overall dish’s aroma.
• Green bell pepper: Offers vitamins and crunch to balance the rich meat base.
• Garlic: A flavor booster with antioxidants, making the dish zesty and healthful.
• Tomato sauce: Gives a tangy, slightly sweet base full of vibrant tomato flavor.
• Yellow cornmeal: The backbone of the cornbread crust with carbs and a hearty texture.
• All-purpose flour: Helps bind the crust, giving it structure and a soft, pillowy bite.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt for the cornbread
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted butter

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked, drain the fat.

3. Add the chopped onion, diced green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet; cook ’em until the veggies soften.

4. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, ketchup, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Let the mixture simmer for about 8-10 minutes so the flavors can really blend together.

6. While the meat mixture cooks, mix together the yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl.

7. In another bowl, beat the egg then mix with milk and melted butter.

8. Slowly stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients until smooth but don’t overmix.

9. Pour the sloppy joe meat mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.

10. Dollop the cornbread batter on top of the meat mixture and spread it out evenly, then bake for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven and 9×13 inch casserole dish
2. Large skillet for browning the beef
3. Knife and cutting board for chopping the onion, bell pepper, and garlic
4. Measuring cups and spoons to measure out the liquids and dry ingredients accurately
5. Two mixing bowls – one for combining the dry ingredients and another for the egg, milk, and melted butter
6. Spatula or wooden spoon to stir the meat mixture and batter
7. Whisk or fork for beating the egg
8. Strainer to drain off excess fat
9. Toothpick to test the cornbread doneness

FAQ

• Q: Can I prep this casserole ahead of time?
  A: Yeah, you can totally make it a day ahead. Just pop it in the fridge and bake when youre ready.
• Q: Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
  A: Yes, it’s best to drain them so the casserole doesn’t turn too watery.
• Q: Can I use another meat instead of ground beef?
  A: Sure thing, ground turkey or even chicken can work, but it might change the flavor a bit.
• Q: Got any tips to get the cornbread crust just right?
  A: Don’t overmix the batter and be sure the melted butter is not too hot, this will give the crust a nice, soft texture.
• Q: How can I tell when the casserole is done?
  A: The edges should be bubbling and the cornbread is golden brown. A toothpick combed in the middle coming out clean is a good sign it’s ready.

Sloppy Joe Casserole With Cornbread Crust Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Ground beef: you can use ground turkey or a plant-based meat instead to make it a bit lighter
• Onion: if you dont like strong flavors, try using shallots or even a few spring onions for a milder taste
• Green bell pepper: substitute with red or yellow bell pepper for a sweeter flavor and a pop of color
• Tomato sauce: if you prefer a chunkier texture, crushed tomatoes work just fine or you can use tomato puree if you want it smoother
• Ketchup: try swapping it out with BBQ sauce for a more smoky flair, just adjust the sugar if needed

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you chop all your vegetables before you start cookin so that everything cooks evenly and you dont have to stop mid-recipe to prep more stuff.
2. When browning the beef, drain off most of the fat. If you dont, the casserole might end up greasy and less tasty.
3. Let the meat mixture simmer a little longer if you can. Even though the recipe says 8 or 10 minutes, a few extra minutes really let the flavors mix and come out better.
4. Be careful not to overmix your cornbread batter. Stirring until it’s just smooth helps keep it light and fluffy instead of turning it all dense and doughy.