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.
Course Main, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Casserole, Sloppy Joe, Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese
Prep Time 40 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Servings 12servings
Calories 361kcal
Author The Gracious Wife
Ingredients
For the Sloppy Joe Mixture
2poundsground beef
1green bell pepperchopped
1medium onionchopped
3garlic clovesminced
1cantomato sauce(8 ounces each)
½cupketchup
¼cupbarbecue sauce
2tablespoonsprepared yellow mustard
1tablespoonapple cider vinegar
1teaspoonWorcestershire sauce
2tablespoonsbrown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Mac and Cheese
1(16 ounce) package cavatappi or other noodlecooked to package instructions
¼cupbutter
2cupsevaporated milk
16ouncesfreshly shredded cheddardivided (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.