Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake (Casserole Style)

Chef Emma here, and I’m about to share the recipe that turned my messiest meal into the easiest casserole my family has ever loved.

We all know the struggle with traditional sloppy joes—they’re delicious but oh-so-messy. The sauce drips everywhere, buns get soggy, and somehow the filling ends up on everything except the plate. That’s when I had a genius idea: what if I turned this classic comfort food into a sloppy joe biscuit bake that keeps all that amazing flavor while eliminating the mess?

The first time I made this, I wasn’t sure how my family would react. Would they miss the traditional sloppy joe experience? I needn’t have worried. My kids devoured it, my husband asked for the recipe (which never happens!), and I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I’d created something both delicious and practical.

This casserole recipe combines everything you love about sloppy joes—that sweet and tangy meat sauce, the comfort of carbs, the melted cheese—but bakes it all together with fluffy biscuits in one gorgeous dish. It’s like a sloppy joe had a baby with a pot pie, and the result is pure comfort food magic.

What makes this hamburger meat recipe so brilliant is how it solves multiple problems at once. No more soggy buns, no more sauce everywhere, no more individually assembling sandwiches. Just scoop, serve, and enjoy. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, busy weeknights, or anytime you want comfort food without the fuss.

Plus, it uses simple ingredients you probably already have—ground beef, canned biscuits, sloppy joe sauce, and cheese. That’s it! It comes together in minutes and bakes while you handle everything else.

For more creative casserole inspiration, check out Accidental Happy Baker’s collection of easy bake dishes, or explore The Cookin Chicks’ guide to family-friendly casseroles that everyone loves.

Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake (Casserole Style)

This Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake transforms the classic messy sandwich into an easy, crowd-pleasing casserole. Seasoned ground beef in tangy sloppy joe sauce gets mixed with fluffy biscuit pieces and topped with melted cheese for a complete meal in one dish.

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Servings: 8

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1½ pounds lean ground beef 85/15 or 90/10
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 15.5 oz can sloppy joe sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 16 oz can refrigerated biscuits (8 large)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
• Optional: 2 tablespoons diced pickles

Equipment

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• – Large skillet
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter
• – Measuring cups
• Mixing bowl (optional)
• Can opener

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Heat large skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and onion. Cook 6-7 minutes, breaking up meat, until browned. Drain excess grease.
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in sloppy joe sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Cut each biscuit into 6 pieces using sharp knife or pizza cutter.
5. Add biscuit pieces and 1 cup cheese to sloppy joe mixture. Stir gently until biscuits are coated and cheese distributed.
6. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread into even layer.
7. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top. Bake uncovered 28-30 minutes until biscuits are golden and cheese is bubbly.
8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Scoop onto plates and add favorite toppings.

Notes

Cut biscuits into 6 pieces for even cooking. Drain beef to prevent oily casserole. Simmer sauce before adding biscuits. Check biscuit doneness—should be fluffy, not doughy. Can assemble 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Reheats beautifully. Stores 3-4 days in fridge or 2 months in freezer.

CALORIES:
445

PROTEIN:
25g

RECIPEYIELD:
8 servings

Summary

This Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake transforms the classic messy sandwich into an easy, crowd-pleasing casserole.

Seasoned ground beef in tangy sloppy joe sauce gets mixed with fluffy biscuit pieces and topped with melted cheese for a complete meal in one dish. This is one of those easy dinner recipes that makes weeknight cooking effortless.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

Equipment

You’ll need these basic kitchen tools:

• 9×13-inch baking dish – Standard casserole dish
• Large skillet – For browning the beef
• Wooden spoon or spatula – For stirring
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter – For cutting biscuits
• Measuring cups – For accurate measurements
• Mixing bowl – Optional, for combining
• Can opener – For the sauce

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1½ pounds lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) – The hearty base
• 1 medium onion, diced – Adds sweetness
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Essential flavor
• 1 (15.5 oz) can sloppy joe sauce – Manwich works great
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar – Balances tanginess
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard – Classic sloppy joe flavor
• ½ teaspoon salt – Plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper – Freshly ground
• 1 (16 oz) can refrigerated biscuits – 8 large biscuits
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – Divided
• Optional: 2 tablespoons diced pickles – For extra tang

Optional Toppings

• Sliced green onions
• Extra pickles
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded lettuce (add after baking)
• Sour cream
• Ketchup and mustard for drizzling

Directions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with your wooden spoon, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain excess grease.

Step 3: Add Seasonings and Sauce

Add the minced garlic to the beef and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Stir in the sloppy joe sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat.

Step 4: Prepare Biscuits

Open the can of refrigerated biscuits.

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each biscuit into 6 pieces. This helps them bake evenly throughout the casserole.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Add the biscuit pieces and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the sloppy joe mixture.

Stir gently until the biscuits are well coated with the sauce and the cheese is distributed throughout. Be careful not to overmix—you want the biscuits to stay somewhat intact.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish

Pour the sloppy joe and biscuit mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Spread it into an even layer, making sure biscuits are evenly distributed.

Step 7: Add Cheese and Bake

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly over the top.

Bake uncovered for 28-30 minutes, until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This allows it to set slightly and makes serving easier. Scoop onto plates and add your favorite toppings!

Tips and Variations

Chef Emma’s Pro Tips

• Cut biscuits evenly: Cutting each biscuit into 6 pieces ensures they cook through properly and distribute evenly in the casserole.
• Don’t skip draining: Even with lean beef, draining excess grease prevents the casserole from becoming oily and helps the biscuits cook properly.
• Let it simmer: Simmering the sauce for a few minutes before adding biscuits concentrates the flavors and reduces excess liquid.
• Check biscuit doneness: The casserole is done when the biscuits are golden and fluffy, not doughy. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
• Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold.
• Leftovers tip: This reheats beautifully! Microwave individual portions or reheat the whole casserole covered in a 350°F oven.

Delicious Variations

• Pizza Style: Add pepperoni slices and Italian seasoning, use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar
• BBQ Sloppy Joe Bake: Replace half the sloppy joe sauce with BBQ sauce for a smokier flavor
• Tex-Mex Version: Add taco seasoning, black beans, and corn; use Mexican cheese blend
• Cheesy Supreme: Double the cheese and add cream cheese for extra creaminess
• Veggie-Loaded: Mix in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or corn to the beef mixture
• Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese

Serving Suggestions

This sloppy joe biscuit bake is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but pairs wonderfully with:

• Simple green salad with ranch dressing
• Crispy coleslaw
• Sweet potato fries or regular fries
• Corn on the cob
• Steamed green beans
• Fresh fruit salad
• Potato chips on the side
• Dill pickle spears

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Store covered in the baking dish or transfer to an airtight container. Keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.

Freezer: Wrap individual portions or the entire casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: Microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes. For the full casserole, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is approximate and based on 8 servings. Values may vary depending on specific ingredients and toppings used.

Nutritional Highlights

This sloppy joe biscuit bake delivers 25 grams of protein per serving, making it filling and satisfying for active families.

The ground beef provides essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins that support energy production and healthy growth. The cheese adds calcium for strong bones and teeth.

While this is definitely comfort food, it’s more balanced than you might think. The biscuits provide energizing carbohydrates, and you can easily boost nutrition by serving it with a big salad or steamed vegetables on the side.

Dietitian Tips

• Make it leaner: Use 93% lean ground beef or ground turkey to reduce fat and calories
• Reduce sodium: Choose low-sodium sloppy joe sauce or make your own with tomato sauce and seasonings
• Add vegetables: Mix diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or carrots into the beef mixture for extra nutrition
• Portion control: Serve smaller portions alongside a large salad to make the meal more balanced
• Whole grain option: Use whole wheat biscuits if available for added fiber
• Lighten the cheese: Use reduced-fat cheese or decrease to 1½ cups total

FAQs

Can I make my own sloppy joe sauce instead of using canned?

Absolutely! Mix together 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon mustard, and seasonings to taste. It’s fresher and you can control the sodium and sweetness.

Can I use homemade biscuits instead of canned?

Yes! Homemade biscuits work wonderfully. Make your favorite biscuit recipe, cut them into pieces while the dough is still raw, and proceed with the recipe as directed. The baking time should be similar.

What if I don’t have a 9×13 pan?

You can use a deep 10 or 11-inch skillet, a 3-quart casserole dish, or even two smaller 8×8 pans. Just adjust baking time slightly—smaller, deeper dishes may need a few extra minutes.

Can I assemble this ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare everything up to the baking step, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since you’re starting with a cold dish.

Why are my biscuits doughy in the center?

This usually means they need more time or weren’t cut small enough. Make sure to cut each biscuit into 6 pieces and bake until golden brown. Check the center biscuits with a toothpick—it should come out clean.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes! Freeze unbaked for best results. Assemble completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding 15-20 minutes to the baking time and covering with foil if needed.

Conclusion

This Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake is the solution to messy sloppy joe nights that every family needs.

It takes everything you love about the classic sandwich and transforms it into an easy, crowd-pleasing casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights. No more soggy buns, no more sauce dripping everywhere—just pure comfort food happiness in every scoop.

What I love most about this recipe is how it makes dinner feel special without requiring any special skills or ingredients. It’s the kind of dish that brings the family to the table with genuine excitement.

The combination of savory beef, fluffy biscuits, and melted cheese is irresistible, and kids absolutely love the fun, hearty texture.

This lazy dinner has become one of my most-requested recipes. Friends ask for it, my kids beg for it, and I love making it because it’s so incredibly easy. Plus, with only one dish to wash, cleanup is a breeze!

I encourage you to make this your own—add your favorite veggies, adjust the spice level, experiment with different cheeses. This casserole is forgiving and welcomes creativity.

So grab that ground beef, pick up a can of biscuits, and get ready for the easiest, most delicious twist on sloppy joes you’ve ever tried. Your family is going to love this one!

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