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Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

This revamped Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole fuses savory, seasoned ground beef layered beneath a golden, custardy cornbread topping enriched with cheddar and a hint of honey. It elevates classic comfort food with deeper flavor, improved texture, and streamlined prep—perfect for satisfying weeknight meals or feeding a crowd.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1¾ cups cornmeal
  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 ⅓ cups milk
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar divided
  • 15 oz can corn drained, divided (½ cup + ½ cup)
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish lightly.
  • Make the beef filling: In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat; drain excess fat if needed. Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce if using. Simmer until thickened, ~5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Prepare cornbread batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt. In another bowl, combine honey, milk, and eggs. Stir wet into dry ingredients until just combined; fold in half the cheddar and ½ cup corn.
  • Par‑bake base: Spread about two‑thirds of batter into the prepared dish. Bake 15 minutes—cornbread will be nearly set.
  • Layer and assemble: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup corn over par‑baked base. Spoon beef mixture evenly. Dollop remaining batter over the top, spreading gently. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar.
  • Bake until golden: Return to oven for 20–25 minutes, until cornbread is golden, cheese is melted, and center is cooked through.
  • Rest: Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For extra moisture, add a tablespoon of sour cream to the cornbread batter.
  • To make assembly easier, chill beef slightly before layering—it holds better.
  • Swap ground beef for lean ground turkey if preferred.
  • Serve with crisp green salad or steamed veggies for a balanced plate.
  • Reheat leftovers at 325 °F, covered, for 10–15 minutes or microwave gently to prevent dryness.