Nothing brings back the mems (memories) like a good ‘ole sloppy joe. With one taste, it takes you right back to waiting in line in the school cafeteria, anxiously awaiting your hearty, meaty, messy serving after a long morning of learning. Well, now that we’re all a little older, we need to make sure our food is tasty while also nourishing. Healthier Sloppy Joe Casserole brings those tangy, sweet, nostalgic flavors and adds some fresh veggies. Swapping out the bun for some whole-wheat pasta makes your heart happy for lots of reasons, too! See? You don’t have to miss out on your favorites even when you can’t eat all the things you used to! Healthier Sloppy Joe Casserole will have you enthusiastically waiting in line in your own kitchen, so you can get helping after helping to enjoy!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups whole-wheat penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 (16-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 (1.31-ounce) envelope sloppy joe mix
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cups 2% cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Colby & Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 4 –While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and the onion, breaking the meat into crumbles, until the meat is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess grease.
Step 5 –Add the mixed vegetables, the water, the tomato sauce, the tomato paste, the sloppy joe mix, the parsley, and the oregano into the meat mixture and bring to a boil.
Step 6 –Reduce the heat and simmer the beef mixture until the veggies are crisp-tender, about 7-9 minutes.
Step 7 –Stir the cooked pasta into the beef mixture.
Step 8 –Spoon 1/2 of the pasta mixture into the prepared dish.
Step 9 –Top the pasta mixture with the cottage cheese, 3/4 cup of the cheese, and the remaining pasta mixture.
Step 10 –Cover the dish and bake for 25 minutes.
Step 11 –Carefully uncover the dish, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and bake until it is bubbly and the cheese has melted, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 12 –Serve.
