This One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta has all the classic sweet and savory flavor you love, mixed with tender pasta and plenty of cheesy goodness. Everything cooks together into a hearty, saucy dish that is simple, filling, and full of flavor.
Why You Need To Make This Sloppy Joes Pasta
- Quick and filling: This recipe comes together fast and is hearty enough to keep everyone full without needing extra sides or snacks later.
- Kid-friendly flavors: The sweet and savory sloppy joe flavor is familiar and easy to love, which means fewer complaints and more clean plates.
- Simple ingredients: Everything in this dish is made with pantry and fridge staples, so that you can pull it together without a special grocery trip.
Sloppy joes are such a classic comfort food for many, and I love finding new ways to use that flavor, like in my Sloppy Joe Casserole with Tater Tots. This pasta version keeps everything you love about the original but turns it into a hearty, saucy meal.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Avocado oil – Any neutral cooking oil will work here.
- Yellow onion – White onion can be used instead with a similar flavor.
- Green bell pepper – Red or yellow bell peppers are a good swap if needed.
- Lean ground beef – Ground turkey can be used for a lighter option.
- Garlic – Use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in place of fresh garlic if needed.
- Rotini pasta – Any short pasta like penne or shells will work.
- Beef broth – Chicken broth works well, and water can be used in a pinch.
- Tomato sauce – No substitutions.
- Worcestershire sauce – Soy sauce can work in a pinch for a slightly different flavor.
- Light brown sugar – You can use granulated sugar or omit it altogether if preferred.
- Yellow mustard – Dijon mustard can be used for a slightly sharper taste.
- Salt and pepper – No substitutions.
- Cheddar cheese – Use your favorite shredded cheese
Mandy’s Top Tip
If needed, drain any excess grease before adding the garlic to prevent the sauce from becoming greasy. I use 90/10 beef and usually skip this step, but anything less lean will likely need to be drained.
Tips for Success
Brown the beef well: Let the beef sit for a bit before stirring so it develops some color. This adds more flavor to the whole dish.
Stir occasionally while simmering: This helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom and ensures it cooks evenly in the sauce.
Watch the liquid level: If the pasta absorbs too much liquid before it is tender, add a splash of broth or water as needed.
Shred your own cheese: Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly than bagged cheese since it does not have anti-clumping agents that can affect the texture.
How to Make One Pot Ground Beef Pasta
This recipe is very simple to make. First, you will cook the beef with the onion and bell pepper, then stir in the garlic and remaining ingredients. Let everything simmer until the pasta is tender, then finish with shredded cheese until it is melted and combined.
Sauté the veggies.
Add pasta, liquid, and seasonings.
Simmer until al dente.
Brown the beef.
Mix well.
Stir in cheese.
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More One Pot Pasta Recipes
Here’s a few of my favorites!
Did you try this one pot ground beef pasta? Let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment and ⭐ rating below!
Sloppy Joe Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef (I used 90/10)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 ounces dry rotini pasta (about 2 1/2 cups)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the pasta, beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
Notes
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Let the pasta cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce as needed.
- The pasta will continue to absorb sauce as it sits, so you may need to add a little liquid when reheating to bring it back to the right consistency.
Nutriton
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.