Hello, everyone! Are you a fan of sloppy joes, or perhaps you're in love with the idea of a scrumptious casserole? If you said yes to either (or both), I have good news for you. Today, we're exploring the mouthwatering world of the keto sloppy joe casserole. This beautiful dish strikes the perfect balance between traditional sloppy joe and casserole, bringing you a complete meal that's both hearty and low-carb.
The Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole is a low-carb, high-protein variation of the traditional Sloppy Joe. It transforms the familiar sandwich into a complete, keto-friendly meal that's perfect for the entire family. To make it, brown 2 pounds of lean ground beef in a skillet, then add diced bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Stir in sugar-free ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Besti Brown Sweetener, and spices. Let the mixture simmer until the sauce thickens. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, top with shredded cheese, and bake until golden. Serve it as a standalone dish or with keto buns for a delicious, guilt-free meal.
Why Choose the Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole?
This keto sloppy joe casserole recipe is a brilliant solution for busy weeknights, an easy meal that the whole family will adore. The ingredients are simple and wholesome, just how we like it in our keto diet. From lean ground beef to vibrant bell peppers and sugar-free ketchup, every bite is an explosion of flavor.
One of the best ways to experience a traditional sloppy joe, minus the excess carbs, is to turn it into a casserole. Whether you choose to use ground turkey, ground chicken, or stay classic with lean ground beef, your keto sloppy joe casserole is bound to be a hit. If you've ever enjoyed a sloppy joe cornbread casserole, you'll know what I mean.
How to Make Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole
Now, let's talk about the process. The first step is to gather all your supplies:
- A large skillet
- A casserole dish
- A spoon for stirring
- A spatula for serving
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Aluminum foil
- Instant pot or slow cooker (optional)
Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add some olive oil, brown ground beef, and season with chili powder, black pepper, and garlic powder. Once the meat is golden brown, you add the bell peppers, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
Don't forget to add your besti brown sweetener instead of regular brown sugar to maintain that keto-friendly meal. Stir in some tomato sauce and let the meat mixture simmer until the flavors are well combined. While the sloppy joe meat cooks, preheat your oven and prepare the casserole dish.
Once the meat mixture is ready, transfer it into your prepared baking dish. Next, you layer the meat with cheese. Mozzarella cheese works great here, but you can experiment with cheddar cheese as well.
After layering, you pop the casserole dish into the oven until the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden brown. Then let it cool, and it's ready to serve! If you want to make this even more filling, serve your keto sloppy joe casserole on a keto bun or wrap it up in low-carb tortillas.
And if you're interested in a different variation, there's the sloppy joe pizza casserole. Instead of the traditional toppings, use a coconut flour pizza crust, add the sloppy joe filling, and top it with cheese.
Remember, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat the next day for a delicious easy recipe. This casserole even freezes well, making it a fantastic option for meal prepping. The nutritional information for this recipe can be found on the recipe card.
Here's the keto sloppy joe casserole recipe in detail:
Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of lean ground beef
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups of sugar-free ketchup
- 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons of Besti Brown Sweetener
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar cheese)
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a large casserole dish. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned.
- Add the diced green and red bell peppers, onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the sugar-free ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, Besti Brown Sweetener, chili powder, black pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
- Allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the flavors are well combined.
- Transfer the sloppy joe mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Top the meat mixture with shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy this keto sloppy joe casserole as is or serve it on a keto bun or wrapped in low-carb tortillas!
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Potassium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g (net carbs: 6g)
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 30g
Tips for a Fantastic Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole
To ensure your keto sloppy joe casserole is the best it can be, here are some tips:
- Always drain the excess fat from the ground beef mixture.
- You can use different types of ground meat for variation.
- Green bell pepper and red bell pepper both work well in this recipe.
- Control your heat. Brown your meat over medium-high heat and then simmer the sauce on low.
- Don't rush the simmering process. Allow the meat mixture to simmer until the flavors marry together.
Key Takeaways
- The keto sloppy joe casserole is a delightful, family-friendly meal.
- You can use lean ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
- Control your heat. Brown the meat over medium-high heat and simmer on low.
- For a twist, try the sloppy joe pizza casserole.
- Remember to serve your keto sloppy joe casserole on a keto bun or low-carb tortilla for a complete meal.
The Origin of The Sloppy Joe
The sloppy joe has a fascinating backstory. The loose meat sandwiches, as they were originally known, came from Sioux Falls, where they were served with a scoop of ground meat and a side of pickles. Over time, the traditional sandwich evolved into the tomato-based sloppy joe we know today.
With this keto sloppy joe casserole, we're introducing another evolution in the story of this beloved dish.
Conclusion
Whether you're a seasoned keto enthusiast or just exploring low-carb meals, the keto sloppy joe casserole is a great way to enjoy a familiar dish in a fresh, healthy way. The next time you're looking for a hearty, easy meal that everyone will love, remember this recipe. Here's to making meals that satisfy our cravings, keep us healthy, and bring the entire family together. Until next time, enjoy your cooking adventures!
Hello, I'm Melissa, the founder and visionary behind Everyday Ketogenic. With more than 12 years of experience in content creation, recipe development, and blogging, I've cultivated this platform into a leading resource for anyone interested in the ketogenic lifestyle. Everyday Ketogenic is my canvas, where I paint with words and ideas, bringing the keto world to life.