Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole turns simple ground beef, saucy pantry staples, fluffy biscuits, and melted cheddar into a filling family dinner with very little effort.
This is the kind of meal that feels like comfort food from a weeknight shortcut, but it still tastes homemade. The beef gets sweet, tangy, and savory in a quick sloppy Joe sauce. The biscuit pieces bake on top until the edges turn golden and the centers stay soft and tender.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big comfort flavor: The sauce tastes tangy, sweet, and savory, just like a classic sloppy Joe.
- Fluffy biscuit topping: The biscuit pieces bake into golden tops with soft, pull-apart centers.
- Easy pantry dinner: You only need ground beef, canned tomato sauce, condiments, biscuits, onion, and cheese.
- Family friendly: The flavors are simple, cozy, and easy for kids and adults to enjoy.
Fabian’s Budget Tip: Stretch the beef by using 3/4 pound (340 g) ground beef and adding 1 cup (170 g) cooked brown lentils to the sauce. The lentils soak up the sloppy Joe flavor, keep the casserole hearty, and cut the cost per serving.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef, 85 to 90 percent lean
- 1 medium yellow onion (150 g), finely diced
- 1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces (225 g)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) yellow mustard
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits, 16.3 ounces (462 g), each biscuit cut into 6 pieces
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Heat the Oven and Prep the Biscuits
Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut each refrigerated biscuit into small bite-sized pieces. Keep the pieces slightly separated on a plate so they do not stick together while you cook the filling.
2. Brown the Beef and Onion
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the meat loses its pink color and the onion smells sweet and savory. If you see a lot of grease in the pan, carefully spoon off the extra fat.
3. Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce
Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. The sauce should look glossy and thick enough to coat the beef. When it smells tangy and rich, it is ready for the baking dish.
4. Assemble the Casserole
Spoon the hot beef mixture into a 2-quart (2-liter) baking dish. Scatter the biscuit pieces over the top, leaving a few small gaps so steam can escape. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over and between the biscuit pieces, while keeping some biscuit tops exposed so they can brown.
5. Bake Until Golden
Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, until the sauce bubbles around the edges and the biscuit tops turn deep golden brown. The kitchen should smell like toasted cheddar and sweet tomato sauce. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving so the filling can settle.
Expert Troubleshooting & FAQs
Why are my biscuits doughy in the middle?
The biscuit pieces may be too large or packed too tightly. Cut each biscuit into 6 pieces and leave small gaps on top of the meat mixture. If the tops brown too fast but the centers still feel soft, bake for 5 more minutes and loosely cover the darkest spots with a small piece of foil.
Can I make Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole ahead of time?
You can cook the beef filling up to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge. For the best biscuit texture, add the biscuit pieces and cheese right before baking. Cold filling may add 5 minutes to the bake time.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works well, but it tastes milder. Let the onion cook until fragrant, and simmer the sauce until it thickens so the filling still has deep sloppy Joe flavor.
Why is my casserole watery?
The beef may have released extra fat or liquid, or the sauce may not have simmered long enough. Drain excess grease after browning the beef, then simmer the sauce until it looks thick and glossy before it goes into the baking dish.
How should I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warm. The oven helps the biscuit topping taste better than the microwave.
Estimated Nutritional Facts
Nutrition is an estimate per serving and will vary based on biscuit brand, beef fat content, and cheese amount.
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 34 g
- Carbs: 53 g
- Fats: 34 g
Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef, 85 to 90 percent lean
- 1 medium yellow onion (150 g), finely diced
- 1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces (225 g)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) yellow mustard
- 1 can refrigerated biscuits, 16.3 ounces (462 g), each biscuit cut into 6 pieces
- 1 1/2 cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- 1. Heat the Oven and Prep the Biscuits. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut each refrigerated biscuit into small bite-sized pieces. Keep the pieces slightly separated on a plate so they do not stick together while you cook the filling.
- 2. Brown the Beef and Onion. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the meat loses its pink color and the onion smells sweet and savory. If you see a lot of grease in the pan, carefully spoon off the extra fat.
- 3. Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Let the mixture simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. The sauce should look glossy and thick enough to coat the beef. When it smells tangy and rich, it is ready for the baking dish.
- 4. Assemble the Casserole. Spoon the hot beef mixture into a 2-quart (2-liter) baking dish. Scatter the biscuit pieces over the top, leaving a few small gaps so steam can escape. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over and between the biscuit pieces, while keeping some biscuit tops exposed so they can brown.
- 5. Bake Until Golden. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, until the sauce bubbles around the edges and the biscuit tops turn deep golden brown. The kitchen should smell like toasted cheddar and sweet tomato sauce. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving so the filling can settle.
