Sloppy Joe Crescent Rolls Casserole
This Sloppy Joe Crescent Rolls casserole is the answer to that dreaded question “what’s for dinner?” All the delicious, saucy flavour of a classic sloppy Joe, plus mozzarella cheese, tucked between two layers of buttery, golden crescent roll dough, and baked up into one easy casserole. No buns falling apart, no juggling toppings – just a wholesome, hearty dinner that’s ready in about 40 minutes with just a few simple ingredients you may already have on hand.
This is one of those recipes that I think checks all the boxes. It’s comfort food, an easy weeknight dinner, and everyone will love it. The filling cooks up easily in one pan in just 20 minutes, while the crescent dough provides sturdy layers of crispy dough both top and bottom. This is a favourite cozy recipe made on repeat all year long. If you are a fan of hearty, fuss-free dinners, you might also love browsing through my collection of mains and sides recipes for more ideas just like this one.
Ingredients You Will Need
Ground beef – a standard pound of lean ground beef works beautifully here. If you prefer, ground turkey is a fine swap and cooks up just the same way. For a vegetarian option, use a plant based ground beef.
Crescent rolls – you will need two packages for this recipe, one for the bottom layer and one for the top. A good quality store-bought crescent roll dough gives you those lovely, flaky layers without any extra work. Press the seams together well so the filling stays put.
Ketchup – this is what gives the filling that classic sloppy joe flavour. Use your favourite brand. The ketchup combines with the water, Worcestershire sauce, and a little flour to create a thick, rich sauce that holds together nicely when sliced.
Cheese – freshly shredded mozzarella provides a mild cheesy flavour, or if you prefer cheddar gives it a slightly bolder flavour. Either works well, or use a combination of both.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- feeds up to 8 people – (great for a hungry family or a small gathering)
- simple pantry ingredients you likely already have
- one frying pan and one baking dish – (easy cleanup is always a win)
- saucy, savoury filling layered between two sheets of buttery crescent dough
- a Sloppy Joe bake that slices up neatly – no messy buns required
- beginner-friendly and ready in about 40 minutes
- easily made vegetarian (our favourite way!)
Let’s Make Sloppy Joe Crescent Roll Casserole
Be sure to see the full ingredient list and instructions in the printable recipe card below!
In a large frying pan over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion, salt, pepper, and chili powder until the beef is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Break it up as it cooks so it’s nice and crumbly.
Stir in the flour, then add water, ketchup, and the Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together well and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the sauce has thickened up nicely.
While the filling simmers, press first package of crescent rolls into the them into the bottom of your prepared casserole dish, sealing the seams as you go. Spread the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the crescent roll base, then sprinkle the shredded cheese over the filling.
Open the second package of crescent rolls and arrange them over the cheese layer, pressing the dough gently against the sides of the pan to seal everything in.
Bake at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, until crescent roll dough is fully cooked and golden brown.
Tips from The Red Cottage Kitchen
SEAL THOSE SEAMS
Take a little extra time to ensure there are no large gaps in the seams of the crescent dough on both the top and bottom layers. This keeps the filling neatly inside and helps the casserole slice cleanly.
LET IT REST
Give the casserole a few minutes to rest after it comes out of the oven before you cut into it. This lets the filling to settle slightly so your slices hold together and the filling doesn’t spill out.
SIMMER THE FILLING FULLY
Don’t rush the simmering step. Letting the filling cook down until the sauce is thick is essential for a Sloppy Joe bake with the perfect amount of sauce, yet slices up well rather than spilling out.
USE FRESHLY SHREDDED CHEESE
Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that can prevent it from melting as smoothly. Freshly shredded mozzarella or cheddar melts beautifully into the filling. I do the same thing for my glazed meatloaf when I want a clean, melty cheese topping.
ADD EXTRA VEGGIES
Cook chopped red bell pepper or celery with the ground beef and onion for some extra texture and flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can prepare the sloppy joe filling a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, simply assemble the casserole with the crescent rolls and cheese and pop it into the oven. This makes it a great option for busy weeknights.
Absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken both work well in place of ground beef. The flavour will be slightly lighter, but the recipe works the same way. Or, for a vegetarian option use a plant based ground “meat”.
I don’t recommend freezing as the crescent rolls can become to soft or soggy during when defrosted. This one is best enjoyed fresh or stored in the fridge. It reheats well in the oven at a low temperature.
Serving Ideas
Slice and serve warm straight from the baking dish. This sloppy joe crescent roll casserole is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, but a simple green salad or a bowl of coleslaw alongside makes it feel like a proper spread. It is also a great option for feeding a crowd at a casual get-together or potluck. Cut into smaller squares, it makes a fun, easy appetizer too.
For a cozy weeknight dinner, I love serving this with my crispy Dijon roasted potatoes on the side. They take about the same amount of time to cook and the combination is so satisfying.
Storage Tips
- store leftovers promptly, tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
- reheat individual portions or the entire pan in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through – the oven keeps the crescent dough much crispier than the microwave
- this casserole is best enjoyed fresh and is not ideal for freezing, as the crescent dough can lose its texture after thawing
Some nights you just need a recipe that works without a lot of fuss. This is that recipe. I first made this on a busy Tuesday after finding it one of my mom’s old Church cookbooks, when the fridge was looking a little bare. It went over so well that it made it into the regular rotation almost immediately. If you love easy dinner ideas like this, my old fashioned chicken and rice casserole is another one that practically makes itself.
More Casserole Recipes
Sloppy Joe Crescent Rolls Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9 x 13 inch casserole dish or cake pan
- 1 frying pan
- measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- knife for chopping
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 pkgs crescent rolls
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray.
- In a medium frying pan, cook ground beef, onions, salt, pepper, and chilli powder until beef is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Stir in flour; add 1 ¼ cup water, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and stir. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until water is absorbed and sauce has thickened.
- Line casserole dish with one package of the crescent rolls, pressing to seal seams. Spread sloppy Joe mixture evenly over the crescent rolls and sprinkle with cheese. Arrange second package of crescent rolls over the cheese, pressing gently against the sides of the pan.
- Bake at 350℉ for 20-25 minutes, until crescent rolls are golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand for a few minutes before slicing into 6 to 8 servings.
