5-Ingredient Amish Sloppy Joe Penne Casserole

This oven-baked 5-ingredient Amish-style sloppy joe casserole is exactly the kind of weeknight dinner I lean on when work runs late and everyone’s hungry at the same time. It has that cozy, church-potluck vibe but with a modern shortcut.

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or a little oil.

Step 2

Spread the uncooked penne pasta evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish. This is your base layer—no need to boil it first.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.

Step 4

Add the canned sloppy joe sauce and beef broth to the cooked ground beef in the skillet. Stir well until everything is combined into a loose, pourable mixture.

Step 5

Pour the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the uncooked penne pasta in the casserole dish, making sure to cover all the pasta so it can absorb the liquid while baking. Gently press down any exposed pasta with a spoon so it’s mostly submerged.

Step 6

Sprinkle 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the saucy pasta mixture.

Step 7

Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil, making sure the foil does not touch the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 35–40 minutes, until the pasta is tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 8

Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and return the casserole to the oven uncovered. Bake for another 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly browned.

Step 9

Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so it can thicken slightly and is easier to scoop. Serve warm and enjoy that cozy sloppy joe flavor in pasta form.