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This sloppy joe biscuit casserole turns a classic messy American sandwich into an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner with all the taste but none of the cleanup. The mix of flavorful beef, zesty sauce, and soft biscuits makes a cozy meal that'll win over everyone at your table.
I whipped up this dish during one hectic evening when I needed something my fussy kids would actually eat. When I saw clean plates and heard them asking for more, I knew this one was going into our family favorites list.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: forms the meaty foundation—grab 85/15 for the tastiest results
- Ketchup: delivers that signature sloppy joe tang
- Brown sugar: cuts the acidity with just enough sweetness
- Worcestershire sauce: brings that can't-quite-place-it rich flavor
- Mustard: kicks in a bit of zing that lifts all the other tastes
- Garlic and onion powder: add quick flavor without the chopping
- Refrigerated biscuits: bake up into a puffy golden top—get the layered kind
- Cheddar cheese: melts into an amazing gooey layer—your choice of mild or sharp
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get the oven ready:
- Warm your oven to 350°F and give your 9x13 baking dish a good spray with cooking oil. This helps you scoop out servings without a struggle later.
- Cook the beef:
- Sauté ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until it's fully browned with no pink spots. Break it into small chunks as it cooks. Drain off the fat completely so your casserole won't end up greasy.
- Mix up the sauce:
- Throw the ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt into the pan with your drained meat. Stir everything together and let it bubble gently for 5 minutes so the flavors can get friendly and the sauce can thicken a bit.
- Add the biscuits:
- Dump the meat mix into a bowl, then toss in the cut-up biscuits. Mix them around gently until each biscuit piece gets coated with the saucy meat. This makes sure you get flavor in every bite.
- Put it all together:
- Dump everything into your greased baking dish and spread it out evenly. Scatter the shredded cheese all over the top to create a yummy layer that'll melt down into goodness.
- Bake until done:
- Stick the pan in your hot oven and let it cook for 28-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the biscuits puff up and turn golden, and the cheese melts completely and starts bubbling around the edges.
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This dish takes me back to school cafeteria days but tastes way better than those memories. The brown sugar in the mix is my little trick - it adds just enough sweetness to balance out the tangy stuff without making it taste like dessert.
Make Ahead Options
You can cook the meat mixture up to two days early and keep it in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just warm it up a little, mix in fresh biscuit chunks, top with cheese, and bake as normal. This makes busy weeknights even easier and works great for planning your meals ahead.
Customize Your Casserole
Don't be afraid to make this dish your own by tossing in some chopped bell peppers or onions with the meat for extra veggies and taste. Want it spicy? Add a splash of hot sauce or some red pepper flakes to the mix. You can also try different cheeses like pepper jack for heat or a Mexican blend for a twist on the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This filling casserole goes great with a basic green salad or some steamed veggies for a complete meal. For that classic touch, put some pickle spears on the side. If you've got company over, try adding a small spoonful of sour cream on top of each serving for a cool, creamy contrast to the savory dish.
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Storing Leftovers
Put any extras in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors actually get better overnight as they mix together more. Warm up single servings in the microwave for about 2 minutes until they're hot. For bigger portions, cover with foil and heat in a 325°F oven until warmed through, roughly 15-20 minutes.
Common Questions
- → Can I use a different type of meat?
Absolutely, you can swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even meat substitutes to match what you like.
- → Can I freeze this casserole?
Sure thing, just cook the casserole first, let it cool all the way down, then wrap it up tight and pop it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- → How can I add more vegetables?
Try throwing in some chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or grated carrots while cooking the beef to sneak in extra goodness and taste.
- → What type of biscuits work best?
The refrigerated tubes of biscuits are super handy for this dish, but homemade dough works great too if you've got time.
- → How do I prevent soggy biscuits?
Make sure your meat mixture isn't too wet by cooking it down until it thickens a bit before you mix in your biscuit chunks.