Let me just say it: this one is bringing serious school lunch tray energy… and I mean that in the absolute best way. Sloppy Joe Casserole is warm, saucy, and baked to golden, cheesy perfection with biscuits that puff up into flaky pillows of happiness!

And you know we’re giving it an old-fashioned twist, because baby - this is exactly the kind of meal my mom would have whipped up after a long day of lecturing in her shoulder-padded power blazer. She was a college professor who lived for a shortcut and had no shame about pulling out the biscuit dough if it meant dinner could bake while she graded papers.

And me? The latchkey kid left in charge of “popping it in at 5:15” because you know dinner had to be on the table by 6!

Now, we’re not reinventing the wheel here - we’re just turning that beloved can-of-sloppy-joe-sauce into a weeknight casserole that’s every bit as comforting as you remember. It’s budget-friendly, family-friendly, and picky-eater-approved. And yes, those judgy church ladies from back in the day? They would 100% line up for this one at a potluck.

Why You’ll Love This Retro Casserole:

• Quick + easy: Minimal prep, and only one skillet before it hits the oven.
• Budget win: Feeds the fam without breaking the bank.
• Ultimate nostalgia: Tastes like your childhood… but better.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ medium onion, diced
• Salt + pepper to taste
• 15 oz can Sloppy Joe sauce
• 16.3 oz can refrigerated biscuits (we love Grands Homestyle)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.

Dice that onion, then cook it up with the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper and stir while the meat browns. Drain off any grease.

While the meat is cooking, cut the biscuits into quarters. Toss the dough in a bowl with 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Yes, cheese on the inside AND the top. Because we’re not here to play.

Stir the Sloppy Joe sauce into the cooked meat mixture. Then gently fold in those cheesy biscuit pieces.

Transfer everything into the greased casserole dish and top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the biscuits are cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Tips + Variations:

• Swap cheddar for a shredded Mexican blend for extra flavor.
• Add a handful of diced green peppers for a classic twist.
• Got leftovers? Pop 'em in the fridge - this reheats like a dream.

Yield: 6

Sloppy Joe Casserole

Print

Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joe Casserole is a retro dinner dream! With saucy ground beef, golden biscuits, and melty cheese, this easy casserole brings back all the cozy vibes of 1980s weeknight dinners. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ medium onion, diced
• Salt and pepper
• 15 oz sloppy joe sauce
• 16.3 oz can refrigerated biscuits (we used Grands Homestyle)
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish, and set aside.
2. Dice the onion.
3. In a large skillet, add the ground beef, diced onion and sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. Cook the meat over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks, until no longer pink. Drain any grease.
4. While the meat is cooking, cut the biscuits into quarters and toss in a bowl with 1 cup of the cheese.
5. Once the meat is done, stir in the sloppy joe sauce. Then fold in the cheesy biscuits.
6. Add the mixture into the greased casserole dish in an even layer, then top with the remaining 1 cup of cheese. 
7. Transfer the casserole dish to the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 857Total Fat: 53gSaturated Fat: 24gUnsaturated Fat: 29gCholesterol: 153mgSodium: 1630mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 46g

The Final Word

If you grew up in the era of Hamburger Helper, TV trays, and “one casserole feeds the crew,” this recipe is going to hit you right in the nostalgic feels. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it’s exactly what weeknight dinner dreams are made of.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, throwing it back to your latchkey days, or just looking for an easy comfort food win, this Old-Fashioned Sloppy Joe Casserole will absolutely deliver.

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