Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole
This Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole features seasoned ground beef in a tangy, savory sauce topped with a fluffy, golden cornbread layer. An easy, satisfying casserole ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
12 Servings
Ingredients
- Cooking spray for greasing
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1½ cups ketchup
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 8.5-ounce packages corn muffin mix (e.g., Jiffy)
- ⅔ cup whole milk
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground chuck and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking the meat into small crumbles. Cook for approximately 4 minutes, or until mostly browned.
Add Vegetables:
- Add the chopped onions and green bell pepper to the skillet. Continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and translucent, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.
Incorporate Tomato Paste:
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing the paste to deepen in color and develop flavor.
Add Liquids and Seasonings:
- Pour in the beef broth, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and bubbles appear on the surface.
Transfer to Baking Dish:
- Remove the skillet from the heat and pour the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
Prepare Cornbread Topping:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the corn muffin mix, milk, baking powder, and eggs until smooth. Spoon the batter evenly over the meat mixture, using a spatula to gently spread to the edges.
Bake the Casserole:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cornbread topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve:
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Serve warm.
Notes
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the corn muffin mix with a certified gluten-free version or use a homemade gluten-free cornbread topping. Also ensure that the Worcestershire sauce and all other packaged ingredients (such as broth and ketchup) are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.