Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

This Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole combines two beloved classics into one irresistible dish that’ll have everyone rushing to the dinner table. Think savory, saucy ground beef topped with a golden cornbread crust that’s fluffy on the inside and perfectly crispy on top.

The magic happens when that sweet, tender cornbread soaks up all those rich Sloppy Joe flavors underneath. It’s like having your favorite sandwich and cornbread all in one bite – but way less messy and even more delicious.

Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joe Layer:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• ½ cup yellow onion, chopped
• ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• ¾ cup ketchup
• 3 tsp light brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• Ground black pepper and sea salt to taste

For the Cornbread Topping:

• 8.5 oz Jiffy cornbread mix (1 box)
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup milk

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Spray an 8×8 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray until fully coated. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté ground beef, onion, and bell pepper for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is no longer pink and onions become translucent. Drain excess fat through a colander to prevent a greasy casserole.
3. Return mixture to skillet and add garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, water, salt, and pepper. The water helps create the perfect saucy consistency – if it looks too thick, add an extra 2-3 tablespoons.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon but still be slightly loose, as it will thicken more in the oven.
5. Transfer the sloppy joe mixture to your prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together cornbread mix, egg, and milk until just combined – don’t overmix! Small lumps are okay. Carefully spread over the sloppy joe layer, going right to the edges.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Smart Swaps

• Use ground turkey instead of beef for a leaner option
• Replace ½ cup of ketchup with tomato sauce to reduce sugar
• Try whole grain cornbread mix for added fiber

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Use sugar-free ketchup to reduce carbs by 4g per serving
• Replace brown sugar with 2 tsp monk fruit sweetener
• Choose whole grain cornbread mix to lower glycemic impact
• Serve with a side of non-starchy vegetables

Pro Tips

• Don’t overbake the cornbread – it should be just set in the middle
• For extra flavor, add 1 tsp of smoked paprika to the meat mixture
• Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to set properly