Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole: A Comfort Food Classic

Craving a hearty, satisfying, and oh-so-comforting meal? Look no further than this Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole! It’s the perfect marriage of savory sloppy joe filling and sweet, crumbly cornbread, all cooked together in one skillet for easy cleanup. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, weeknight dinner savior, and a delightful twist on classic comfort food. Plus, it’s incredibly customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s preferences. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy Cleanup:** Everything cooks in one skillet, minimizing dishes.
* **Quick & Simple:** Ready in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Comfort Food:** Warm, savory, and satisfying – the ultimate comfort meal.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your liking with different ground meats, vegetables, or toppings.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** A guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Uses affordable ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Sloppy Joe Filling:

* 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternative)
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other cooking oil)

### For the Cornbread Topping:

* 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup milk (or buttermilk for extra tang)
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 large egg, lightly beaten

### Optional Toppings:

* Shredded cheddar cheese
* Diced tomatoes
* Chopped green onions
* Sour cream or Greek yogurt
* Jalapeños (for a spicy kick)

Equipment You’ll Need

* Large oven-safe skillet (cast iron is ideal, but any oven-safe skillet will work)
* Mixing bowls
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Wooden spoon or spatula

Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling

1. **Brown the Meat:** Heat the olive oil in your oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef (or your chosen ground meat alternative) and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
2. **Sauté the Vegetables:** Add the chopped onion and bell pepper (if using) to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. **Add the Sauce Ingredients:** Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, and smoked paprika (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. **Simmer the Filling:** Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together. This step is crucial for developing that classic sloppy joe flavor.

### Step 2: Prepare the Cornbread Topping

1. **Preheat the Oven:** While the sloppy joe filling is simmering, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, and egg.
4. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in a tough cornbread.

### Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Casserole

1. **Pour Cornbread Over Filling:** Carefully pour the cornbread batter evenly over the simmering sloppy joe filling in the skillet.
2. **Add Toppings (Optional):** If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the cornbread batter. You can also add other toppings like diced tomatoes or jalapeños at this stage.
3. **Bake:** Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on it.
4. **Cool Slightly:** Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the cornbread to set slightly and makes it easier to cut and serve.

### Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

1. **Garnish:** Garnish with chopped green onions or a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, if desired.
2. **Serve:** Serve the Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole warm. It’s delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or coleslaw for a complete meal.

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole

* **Use a Well-Seasoned Skillet:** A well-seasoned cast iron skillet will add extra flavor and help prevent the cornbread from sticking.
* **Don’t Overmix the Cornbread Batter:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cornbread. Mix until just combined.
* **Adjust the Sweetness:** If you prefer a less sweet cornbread, reduce the amount of sugar in the batter. You can also use a sugar substitute.
* **Spice It Up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the sloppy joe filling for a spicy kick.
* **Use Buttermilk:** Using buttermilk instead of regular milk in the cornbread batter will give it a tangier flavor and a more tender crumb.
* **Customize the Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Try adding different cheeses, vegetables, or even crumbled bacon.
* **Make it Ahead:** You can prepare the sloppy joe filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake the casserole, simply reheat the filling and pour the cornbread batter over it.
* **Check for Doneness:** The cornbread is done when it’s golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the cornbread is browning too quickly, you can tent it with foil to prevent it from burning.

Variations and Substitutions

* **Ground Meat:** Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, pork, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
* **Vegetarian/Vegan:** Use a plant-based ground meat substitute and ensure all other ingredients are vegan-friendly.
* **Cheese:** Use your favorite shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend.
* **Vegetables:** Add other vegetables to the sloppy joe filling, such as diced carrots, celery, or mushrooms.
* **Spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as cumin, oregano, or garlic powder.
* **Sweeteners:** Substitute brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free cornmeal and a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the cornbread topping.
* **Dairy-Free:** Use dairy-free milk and vegetable oil spread in the cornbread topping.
* **Spicy:** Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sloppy joe filling for extra heat.

Serving Suggestions

This Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to round it out:

* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
* **Coleslaw:** Creamy coleslaw is a classic pairing with sloppy joes.
* **Steamed Vegetables:** Steamed broccoli, green beans, or carrots add a healthy side dish.
* **Corn on the Cob:** A perfect summer side dish to complement the cornbread.
* **Pickles:** Dill pickles or bread and butter pickles add a tangy crunch.
* **French Fries or Onion Rings:** If you’re feeling indulgent, serve with french fries or onion rings.

Make-Ahead Instructions

* **Sloppy Joe Filling:** The sloppy joe filling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat before adding the cornbread topping.
* **Cornbread Batter:** While it’s best to bake the cornbread batter immediately, you can prepare the dry ingredients in advance. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. When ready to bake, combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.
* **Assembled Casserole (Unbaked):** You can assemble the entire casserole (sloppy joe filling and cornbread topping) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

* **Storage:** Store leftover Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving)

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 25-35g
* Fat: 20-30g
* Carbohydrates: 40-50g

*(Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)*

Recipe Card

**Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole**

**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes
**Total time:** 50 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8 servings

**Ingredients:**

* **Sloppy Joe Filling:**
* 1 lb ground beef
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 1 green bell pepper (optional), chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
* 1/2 cup ketchup
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1 tbsp yellow mustard
* 1 tsp chili powder
* 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* **Cornbread Topping:**
* 1 cup yellow cornmeal
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tbsp baking powder
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1 cup milk
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
* 1 large egg, beaten
* **Optional Toppings:** Shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, jalapeños

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet. Brown ground beef, drain grease. Add onion and bell pepper (if using), cook until softened. Add garlic, cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. In a bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk milk, oil, and egg. Combine wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Pour cornbread batter over sloppy joe filling in skillet. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese (optional).
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cornbread is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with green onions or sour cream (optional).

**Enjoy!**

Conclusion

This Sloppy Joe Skillet Cornbread Casserole is a guaranteed family favorite! It’s easy to make, customizable, and packed with flavor. The combination of savory sloppy joe filling and sweet cornbread is simply irresistible. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a comforting and satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds!