Sloppy Joe Casserole

Of all the names for this dish to be named, Sloppy Joe Casserole is weird yet, spot on! It exactly explains the flavors and dish so well. This is a mixture of ground beef, bell peppers, onion, garlic, ketchup and mustard and brown sugar and a few other things (yes, I am serious), topped with corn bread batter and baked to perfection! I was on a "find some weird sounding dinner and make it" kick and found this treasure. After making it a few times I found how versatile it is and how easy it is to direct flavors all kinds of ways!

Its a super affordable, sweet, savory, easy and comforting meal. The ingredients (at least for me) are ones I typically have on hand all the time, especially with out versatile this dish can be. Below is a list of the different flavor combinations so you can personalize things to your exact liking! I do HIGHLY recommend following the recipe all the way for the first time, this way you know how to adjust it (if at all) to your taste buds later. I have whipped up a handy dandy grocery list so you can be sure you have everything you need. You can screen shot this list and inspect your pantry and fridge to see what you have and what you need!

ALTERNATIVE FLAVOR COMBINATIONS:

• White onion, fresh minced garlic and a green bell pepper bring a more savory experience. Toss in a few extra shakes of Worchestershire Sauce and, oh baby!
• Red onion, fresh minced garlic and a yellow bell pepper bring up the tang factor.
• Red onion, fresh minced garlic and a orange bell pepper create a sweeter zing.
• Red onion , fresh minced garlic and a red bell pepper brings a savory/sweet twist. 
• Doing a combination of peppers with a yellow onion, fresh minced garlic, an extra dash of Worchestershire is the ULTIMATE combination. This one is my personal favorite! It is just magical! 
• Subbing a yellow onion with any type of pepper will give a softer savory pull to the flavors while still maintaining some sweetness!
  
  
  

I have been in a pinch a few times and didn't realize until I was almost finished putting the meat mixture together. Mostly my issue is not having enough ketchup. There are a few ways to remedy this. You can sub the ketchup, mustard and brown sugar with a can of sloppy joe sauce. You can also take a can of plain tomato sauce and add in the brown sugar, worchestershire and a dash of mustard. Both options create a yummy dish!

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Ground Beef can be replaced with ground turkey or ground chicken.
• Yellow onion can be swapped out for a white or purple onion.
• You can use any color of bell pepper. Each color brings a unique twist to the dish. 
• See the above 'Alternative Flavor Options' for more ideas on how you can adjust the dish for what you have available or for a preferred flavor profile!

The recipe below is a basic, simple version that you can fancy up with any of the suggestions above!

Make sure to finely dice the peppers and onions so that everything distributes evenly through out the beef mixture!

SUGGESTED SIDES:

• Cesar Salad
• Garden Salad
• Green Beans canned, frozen or fresh
• Brown Sugar Carrots
• Steamed Broccoli and/or Cauliflower