Easy Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole Recipe: A Delicious Comfort Food Dish

Discover a delectable twist on classic comfort food with this Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole. This mouthwatering dish marries the rich, savory essence of traditional homemade Sloppy Joes with a light, golden cornbread topping. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this recipe ditches the usual buns in favor of a Southern-inspired cornbread crust, making it an ideal choice for family gatherings, potlucks, and weeknight dinners. Learn how to effortlessly create this crowd-pleaser that combines the best of both worlds for an unforgettable meal!

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 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
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 (8.5 ounce) packages corn muffin mix (such as Jiffy®)
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 large eggs

Directions

Step 1

Gather all the ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray for easy cleanup

Step 2

Preheat a sizable skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, stirring intermittently and using a wooden spoon to crumble the meat into finer pieces, until it is nearly browned, approximately 4 minutes. Incorporate finely diced onion and bell pepper into the skillet, and continue cooking over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until the vegetables are delectably tender and fully softened, about 6 to 8 minutes. This straightforward technique guarantees impeccably cooked ground beef and exquisitely tender, flavorful vegetables, resulting in a savory and satisfying dish.

Step 3

Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring continuously, until the paste deepens in color, about 2 minutes. Gradually incorporate beef broth, using a spatula to deglaze the pan and lift any browned bits from the bottom. Add ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper, mixing thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and bubbles throughout, approximately 7 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the rich, flavorful sauce to the prepared baking dish. This process ensures a robust, well-seasoned sauce perfect for enhancing your dish.

Step 4

In a medium bowl, whisk together corn muffin mix, milk, baking powder, and eggs until the mixture is thoroughly blended. Spoon the batter evenly over the sloppy Joe filling, creating a uniform layer.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until the cornbread is golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.