Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake

I had Sloppy Joe Pasta on our menu for this month, but I decided to make a pasta bake instead. My thought was that, because the bake contains cheese, it might be easier for me to add a vegetable (bell pepper) and still get my family to eat it.

It worked! My family enjoyed this simple Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake. What leftovers we had were just as good (or perhaps even a little better) than the fresh bake.

Ingredients

(Adapted from this recipe.)

• 1 package (16 oz.) small shell pasta
• 1 lb. ground meat (I used turkey)
• 1 bell pepper, diced (I used red)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 can (15 oz.) sloppy joe sauce
• 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• Several dashes salt, pepper, and garlic powder
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the pasta according to package instructions. While it is cooking, place the meat, bell pepper, and onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the veggies are soft; drain. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and garlic powder; heat through. Remove from the heat.

Drain the pasta once it is al dente and return it to the Dutch oven. Stir the meat mixture and the cottage cheese into the pasta. Spoon half of the meat-pasta mixture into a lightly greased 9×13 in. baking dish; sprinkle with half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining meat-pasta mixture and shredded cheese.

Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.

Notes

This dish is great for so many reasons! First, it’s flavorful. It has the classic flavor of sloppy joe sandwiches, but there’s no mess when you eat it! Second, it is prepared with affordable ingredients, so it is a budget-friendly meal. Third, the recipe yields a large dish of it, so there’s enough for dinner and lunch the next day.

Speaking of lunch the next day, the leftovers of this were wonderful. The flavors really permeate the pasta as it sits, creating delicious leftovers. We’ll be making this one again and again! Next time I may try sneaking a little riced cauliflower into it in order to add a few additional nutrients.

What casseroles have you enjoyed recently?

Shared at the following:

Farm Fresh Tuesdays, Busy Monday, Over the Moon, Weekend Potluck, and Encouraging Hearts and Home.