Pickle-Fix Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake (Print View)

Zesty ground beef, dill pickles, and cheesy pasta baked together for a flavorful, satisfying main dish.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup dill pickles, chopped

→ Pasta

06 - 12 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or elbows)

→ Sloppy Joe Sauce

07 - 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
11 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
12 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
15 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
16 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Cheese

17 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
18 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Garnish

19 - ¼ cup sliced dill pickles
20 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat.
04 - Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté until softened, approximately 3 minutes.
05 - Stir in the chopped pickles, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and mix thoroughly to coat with the Sloppy Joe sauce.
07 - Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Top with the remaining pasta mixture and spread the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
09 - Remove from the oven. Garnish with sliced dill pickles and fresh parsley, if desired. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour for busy weeknights
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients most families already have
  • Kid friendly but sophisticated enough for adults
  • Perfect make ahead meal for meal planning
02 -
  • This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months
  • Can be assembled ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking
  • Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings
  • Each serving provides a complete protein with vegetables
03 -
  • Always slightly undercook your pasta since it will continue cooking in the oven
  • For maximum flavor, use freshly grated cheese rather than pre shredded which contains anti caking agents
  • Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set properly and avoid a runny consistency

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