Why You’ll Love Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich Recipe
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It transforms the fun sandwich‑flavour of Sloppy Joes into a fork‑friendly casserole, making it ideal for gatherings or family meals.
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Minimal fuss: with a can of Manwich sauce you skip making the sauce from scratch, yet still end up with bold, nostalgic taste.
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Bold comfort food: the mix of savoury beef, tangy tomato‑based sauce, and melted cheese gives you big flavour with little effort.
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Versatility and easy prep: you can make it ahead, swap pastas, add extra veggies, or double it up when feeding a group.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Lean ground beef (about 1 lb / ~450 g)
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Onion, diced
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A can of Manwich original sloppy joe sauce (or your preferred flavour)
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Undrained canned diced tomatoes (optional, for extra texture)
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Chicken or beef broth (to cook pasta if using)
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Pasta (for example farfalle) or other noodle of choice
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Frozen corn (or drained canned corn) for added veggie‑texture
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Cubed cheese‑product (for example Velveeta) or similar melting cheese
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Shredded cheddar (or your preferred sharp cheese) to sprinkle on top
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Non‑stick spray or butter for greasing the baking dish
Directions
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Preheat your oven to about 375 °F (≈190 °C).
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In a large skillet or high‑walled pot, brown the ground beef over medium‑high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened. Drain excess grease.
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Stir in the can of Manwich sauce and the undrained diced tomatoes (if using). Then add the broth and bring to a gentle boil.
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Add the uncooked pasta to the sauce mixture. Stir and cover; cook until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick.
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Once the pasta is nearly done, reduce heat to low. Stir in the corn and the cubed melting cheese piece‑by‑piece until it’s melted and fully incorporated.
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Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9×13‑inch (or similar) casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly on top.
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Cover the dish and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dish is bubbling around the edges. Remove cover and serve immediately.
Servings and timing
This dish yields about 6 servings. Prep time is approximately 5–10 minutes (assuming quick onion dice and beef browning), and cook time about 45 minutes (including pasta cooking and baking).
Variations
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Swap in penne, rigatoni, or another sturdy pasta if farfalle isn’t available.
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Use a different melting cheese (Monterey Jack, Colby, pepper‑Jack) for a flavour twist.
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Add diced bell pepper or mushrooms during the beef‑and‑onion step for extra veggies.
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For a lower‑carb version: skip the pasta, use cauliflower florets or zucchini noodles beneath the sauce.
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Make it spicy: stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when you add the Manwich sauce.
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Make it a freezer‑friendly meal: assemble the casserole up to the baking point (without baking), freeze, then bake later from frozen.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To reheat: cover and warm in the oven at 325 °F (≈160 °C) until heated through, or microwave individual servings until hot. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake covered until warmed and bubbling.
FAQs
What is Manwich sauce?
Manwich is a brand of canned sloppy joe sauce (seasoned tomato‑based) introduced in 1969. Wikipedia+1 It simplifies the preparation of sloppy joes by combining flavourful sauce and seasoning in one can.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes — simply substitute your preferred lean ground meat, brown it thoroughly, and proceed with the sauce and pasta. Adjust seasoning as desired.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can prepare the beef‑sauce mixture and pasta, assemble in the casserole dish, cover and refrigerate for up to 1–2 days before baking. Then bake when ready to serve.
Can I freeze the casserole?
Yes. After assembling (but before baking), cover well and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake until warmed through and bubbly.
What sides go well with this casserole?
A crisp green salad, steamed green beans, or simple oven‑roasted vegetables are excellent companions. The richness of the casserole pairs nicely with something lighter and fresh.
Can I skip the pasta and serve it on buns instead?
Yes — you can stick closer to the classic sloppy joe sandwich by serving the meat‑sauce mixture on hamburger buns. But the casserole version with pasta gives a more substantial one‑dish meal.
How can I make it less “sloppy” (less messy)?
Because this recipe bakes the mixture and melts the cheese on top, it’s inherently less messy than typical sloppy joes served in buns. You can also reduce the sauce slightly or use firmer pasta to help maintain structure.
Can I add more vegetables into the casserole?
Yes — feel free to stir in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, peas, or even chopped spinach into the meat‑sauce mixture before baking for added nutrition and colour.
What if I don’t have a 9×13‑inch dish?
You can use a slightly smaller or larger baking dish — adjust cooking time slightly if the depth of the casserole changes significantly. Ensure the mixture is spread evenly and the top cheese is melted thoroughly.
How can I adjust the seasoning if it’s too sweet or tangy?
If the sauce tastes too sweet (as some canned sauces can be), you can stir in a little vinegar or a splash of Worcestershire sauce to add depth and cut sweetness. If it’s too tangy, a small sprinkle of brown sugar can balance it.
Conclusion
This Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich is a hearty, comforting twist on a classic sandwich—transforming the fun and flavour of sloppy joes into a delicious baked casserole. With minimal prep, strong nostalgic taste and plenty of room to customise, it’s a weeknight winner for families or anyone craving a warm, satisfying meal.
Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Sloppy Joe Casserole with Manwich is a hearty and comforting dish made with ground beef, Manwich sauce, pasta, and melted cheese. It’s a family-friendly dinner that’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions (if using) until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the Manwich sauce and cooked pasta. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use any short pasta like penne or shells if elbow macaroni is not available.
- Add bell peppers or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
