Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese combined with tangy and sweet beef sloppy joe in this Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese recipe to make an ultimate comfort food dinner.
Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese
Are you drooling? I am. Just bein' honest here. Two comfort food classics creating a simple family dinner that everyone loves. Including me. Especially me.
Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese topped with tangy and sweet sloppy joes. How can you resist?! Serve this for a full dinner along with a fresh green salad, or bring it a potluck for a perfect dish to pass!
Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe
Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
For the Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can tomato sauce (8 ounces each)
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mac and Cheese
- 16 ounces cavatappi or other noodle cooked to package instructions
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups evaporated milk
- 16 ounces freshly shredded cheddar divided (or other favorite cheese)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with green pepper, onion, and garlic. Drain and return to skillet.
- Add remaining sloppy joe ingredients in the skillet with ground beef, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Allow to simmer until slightly thickened, about 15-20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside when done.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a separate large pot, add butter and heat over medium heat until melted.
- Add evaporated milk into saucepan with butter and heat until steaming (but NOT boiling).
- Set aside ½ cup shredded cheddar. When milk and butter mixture is steaming, begin slowly adding the freshly shredded cheese, about ½ cup at a time, stirring until cheese is completely melted and combined between each addition.
- When all the cheese (except for the ½ cup reserved) is added, combine the cheese sauce with the cooked noodles and stir to combine.
- Place mac and cheese in a large casserole dish (a trusty ol’ 9”x13” baking dish will work).
- Pour sloppy joe mixture on top of mac and cheese, and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top.
- Cover and bake in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, until heated through and bubbly and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or cover the casserole and reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Adding a small splash of milk before reheating can help loosen the cheese sauce if the pasta has absorbed some of it.
- Freezer Directions: Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese can also be frozen. Assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. An extra 10-15 minutes of bake time will likely need to be added to account for the cold dish and ingredients. For the best texture, slightly undercook the pasta if you know you plan to freeze the casserole.
Nutrition
Did you like this Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese recipe? Find more on my Dinner Ideas and Pasta boards on Pinterest!
If you liked this Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese recipe, you might also like
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