Sloppy Joe Pasta (Easy Weeknight Dinner!)
If your family loves classic Sloppy Joes, they are going to flip for this cozy, cheesy Sloppy Joe Pasta!
It’s everything you love about the nostalgic sandwich—savory beef, zesty sauce, and a touch of sweetness—all tossed with tender rotini and topped with melty cheddar cheese. The best part? It’s made with pantry staples and comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner win!
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Why You’ll Love Sloppy Joe Pasta
This dish is the ultimate mash-up of two comfort food favorites: Sloppy Joes and pasta night. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and super easy to throw together with just one skillet and a pot. The sauce is a flavor bomb made with ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, and just a little brown sugar for that signature Sloppy Joe sweetness. And of course, we don’t hold back on the cheese—because what’s a comfort meal without gooey, melty cheddar cheese!
What You’ll Need
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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- A large skillet
- 10 ounces rotini pasta (a little more than half a box)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 onion, grated or finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Heaping 1/3 cup ketchup (or 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
How To Make It
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Meat Sauce:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, diced bell pepper, onion, and garlic until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender—about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add the Sauce Ingredients:
Stir in mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.
Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes to bring out all those rich, tangy Sloppy Joe flavors.
Combine and Cheese It Up:
Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir until everything is well combined, then turn off the heat.
Melt and Serve:
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top.
Cover and let sit for 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey. Serve warm and enjoy!
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Tips
- Meat swap: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter twist.
- Add heat: Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick.
- Veggie boost: Sneak in some diced zucchini, shredded carrots, or even spinach to amp up the nutrition.
- Make it ahead: This dish reheats beautifully—perfect for leftovers or meal prep lunches.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a simple side salad, roasted asparagus, carrots or green beans, or even cheesy garlic bread to round out your meal. This dish is hearty enough on its own, but a little something fresh or crunchy on the side makes it feel extra satisfying.
More Dinner Winners
- One Pan Marry Me Chicken with Orzo
- One Pan Meatball Casserole
- Sheet Pan Quesadillas
- Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken
- Chicken a la King
One Bite and You’re Hooked
Sloppy Joe Pasta is comfort food magic—cheesy, saucy, satisfying, and totally kid-approved. Whether it’s a chilly night or you just need something easy that everyone will eat (without complaints!), this pasta skillet hits the spot.
Save it, share it, and make it again next week—because I know you’re family will love it!
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Sloppy Joe Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, diced bell pepper, onion, and garlic until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender—about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes to bring out all those rich, tangy Sloppy Joe flavors.
- Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir until everything is well combined, then turn off the heat.
- Serve: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and gooey. Serve warm and enjoy!
