When you need a weeknight dinner that's comforting, quick, and satisfying, this sloppy joe biscuit casserole is the recipe to make. It's got all the sweet and savory flavors of classic sloppy joes, topped with buttery biscuits that bake right in the same skillet. This easy skillet-to-oven meal is hearty, balanced, and packed with flavor in every bite.
There's something so Southern about taking a messy sandwich and turning it into a hearty skillet meal you can serve straight from the pan. This casserole keeps all that saucy, down-home flavor but gives it a weeknight-friendly twist that fits real life.
As a Southern dietitian and mom, I know by 5 p.m. you need dinner that feels home cooked without a sink full of dishes. This one-skillet recipe delivers that cozy, just-made taste while sneaking in a few veggies to make it a little more balanced.
If you love easy weeknight meals, check out my other favorites like apple cider pork tenderloin or chicken boursin orzo bake.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- One-skillet simplicity: Cook everything in the same pan for easy cleanup and a stress-free weeknight meal.
- Balanced comfort: Ground turkey keeps it lighter while bell peppers and onions add extra veggies and flavor.
- Crowd-pleasing flavor: Sweet and tangy sauce, cheesy topping, and golden biscuits make this a guaranteed repeat.
Ingredients
This skillet dinner brings all the cozy, saucy flavor of classic sloppy joes in an easy, family-friendly bake.
- Ground turkey: A lighter protein that still delivers that classic sloppy joe flavor. It soaks up the sauce perfectly, but you can use lean ground beef if that's what's in your fridge.
- Onion and red bell pepper: Add color, sweetness, and a few veggies to round out the meal. Any bell pepper works, though red gives a nice pop.
- Tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar: A simple combo that creates the perfect sweet-and-savory sloppy joe sauce.
- Colby Jack cheese: Adds that gooey, cheesy layer that turns this into true comfort food.
- Pillsbury Grands biscuit dough: The secret to that fluffy, golden finish. You can add more, but the 5 count gives just the right balance of biscuit and sauce.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions & Variations
This recipe is flexible and easy to customize with what you already have on hand.
- Bulk it up with chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or shredded carrots to sneak in a few more veggies for your family.
- Change it up with shredded mozzarella, pepper jack, or sharp cheddar cheese depending on your flavor mood.
- Swap half the ketchup for barbecue sauce to give this casserole a smoky, Southern BBQ flavor.
- Stir in a can of drained black beans or pinto beans to stretch the meal and add some extra fiber.
If you love simple skillet meals, you'll also enjoy exploring more easy skillet-to-oven meals like my chicken tortellini bake.
How To Make Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole
Here's how to bring this skillet-to-oven casserole together from start to finish.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Step 2: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Step 4: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
Step 5: Sprinkle the Colby Jack cheese evenly over the sloppy joe meat mixture.
Step 6: Separate the biscuits and cut each one into quarters. Arrange the biscuit pieces evenly across the top of the skillet.
Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the biscuits are golden and cooked through.
Step 8: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This short rest helps the sauce set and makes it easier to scoop and serve.
For more cozy weeknight ideas, check out my collection of balanced weeknight dinners.
Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake
This casserole with biscuit topping is forgiving, but a few small tips make it even better.
- Make sure to use an oven-safe pan like a cast iron skillet or braiser pan so you can easily go from stovetop to oven without needing another dish.
- Cut the biscuits in quarters so each bite bakes evenly and has the perfect mix of fluffy biscuit and saucy filling.
- Let the sauce simmer a few extra minutes to deepen the flavor and keep the base thick and rich when it bakes.
- Keep an eye on the biscuits during the last few minutes of baking so they turn golden brown without overbrowning on top.
Storage
Here's how to store and reheat your cheesy sloppy joe biscuit casserole so they taste just as good the next day.
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days to keep the biscuits fresh and the filling flavorful. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F or in the microwave for 45-60 seconds until warmed through.
- Freezer: Freeze portions of the cooked casserole for up to 2 months for an easy future meal. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Keep in mind, the biscuits may soften slightly, but the flavors stay just as good.
- Make ahead: To prep ahead, you can make the sloppy joe filling up to a day in advance, then top with biscuits and bake when you're ready to serve!
FAQ
Absolutely. Just make sure to cut them smaller so they bake evenly and cook a little longer if needed.
Keep it simple with a green salad, roasted veggies, or coleslaw for a fresh contrast to the warm, savory casserole.
Yes. Omit the cheese or use a dairy-free shredded cheese alternative!
No problem! After simmering the sloppy joe filling, simply transfer it to a greased 9x9-inch baking dish or similar casserole pan. Add the biscuit pieces and cheese on top, then bake as directed.
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Thank you!
Jessie
Sloppy Joe Biscuit Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced (any color works)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- ½ cup low sugar ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese reduced fat
- 1 5-count can Pillsbury Grands biscuit dough each biscuit cut into quarters
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the meat.
- Sprinkle the Colby Jack cheese evenly over the sloppy joe mixture.
- Separate the biscuits and cut each one into quarters. Arrange the biscuit pieces evenly across the top of the skillet.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the biscuits are golden and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This short rest helps the sauce set and makes it easier to scoop and serve.
Notes
- For best results, use an oven-safe skillet like a cast iron or braiser pan to go straight from stovetop to oven.
- You can assemble the sloppy joe filling ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Isabella P says
What do you do with the other half of the Colby Jack?
Jessie Winstead says
The full cup of colby jack gets sprinkled on the casserole!