If you’re running low on gluten-free dinner ideas that actually get your kids excited, this Sloppy Joe Pie is a game-changer. Think saucy, savory homemade Sloppy Joe filling nestled inside a thick layer of creamy, whipped mashed potatoes. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and packed with nostalgic flavor. This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd or stashing away leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch
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Your kids are going to love this new sloppy joe casserole recipe! Even your pickiest of eaters! It is so easy to learn How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joes. Once you’ve mastered that recipe, you can get creative! This Sloppy Joe casserole is generous, making it perfect for feeding a large family.
It’s a delicious, hearty meal that won’t break the budget! If you are looking for more affordable gluten-free meal ideas, these on a Budget Meal Ideas should help. We use potatoes in a lot of recipes because they make a great side dish. Check out these crispy Potato Bacon Roses.
If you love this sloppy joe idea, you will also want to check out these gluten-free dinner recipe ideas.
A Note From My Kitchen
This recipe came from one of those “what can I do with all these leftover mashed potatoes?” moments. I tested this recipe with russet potatoes because they whip up so fluffy, and the thick crust holds up beautifully to the saucy filling. It’s easiest to make in a springform pan, since the sides pop off and give you a nice clean slice, but a 9×13 baking dish works just as well. I’ve made this with ground beef, turkey, and pork. They all work great, and it’s an easy way to adjust the recipe to suit your family’s preferences or dietary needs.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Ground Beef – Ground beef adds richness, but you can swap in turkey, pork, or even ground chicken for a lighter option.
- Potatoes – I recommend russet potatoes for the best fluffy mash. They absorb flavor from the Sloppy Joe filling as it bakes.
- Heavy Cream – This adds richness to the mashed potatoes. Use your favorite dairy-free cream
- Ketchup and Molasses – Adds sweet and tangy depth to the Sloppy Joe sauce.
- Worcestershire – Helps deepen the flavors.
- Coconut Aminos or Tamari and Worcestershire – or umami and salty contrast.
How to Make a Sloppy Joe Pie (Step-By-Step)
Step 1: Add peeled and chopped potatoes to a pot and boil them until they are soft.
Step 2: Add the cooked potatoes to a bowl with the heavy cream and cheddar cheese. Whip the mashed potatoes with an electric mixer.
Step 3: Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and scallions. Cook the onion and scallions with the ground beef.
Step 4: Prepare the sloppy joe sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a measuring cup or bowl.
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Step 5: Pour the Sloppy Joe sauce onto the meat, cover the pan, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Add the mashed potatoes to a springform pan and make an indentation for the meat to go in. You can see here how thick I made the crust…the juices from the Sloppy Joe mixture ooze into the creamy mashed potatoes.
Step 7: Add the Sloppy Joe mixture to the pan. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes, until the crust is slightly puffy and the middle is bubbling slightly.
Step 8: The Sloppy Joe Casserole is now ready! Serve it hot with a salad!
Storage and Freezing Tips:
- This casserole will keep fresh for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 4 months.
- Thaw in the microwave oven or oven.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ground beef is classic, but I’ve made this with ground turkey and pork. Both worked great!
I use a springform pan because it is easier to remove the casserole when the sides open up.
Yes, just use dairy-free heavy cream.
You can easily make this dairy-free by using dairy-free cream and cheese.
You will know this is done baking when the meat mixture is bubbling, and the potato crust slightly pulls away from the pan.
More Gluten-Free Recipes to Try:
If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration for dinner time, I have hundreds of recipes to enjoy. Here are a few of my favorites:
Love This Recipe?
If you made this gluten-free Sloppy Joe Pie, I’d love to hear what you thought! Let me know in the comments what ground meat you used and if you made any swaps. Your feedback helps others, and makes my day!
Sloppy Joe Pie (Kid-Approved Dinner!)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef * see note
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup chopped scallion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
Sauce
- 1 cup tomato puree
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Crust
- 3 large russet potatoes
- ¼ cup heavy cream * see note
- ½ cup shredded cheddar * see note
- salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375º F.
- Peel and chop your potatoes. Add them to a large pot of water and boil until fork-tender.
- Drain and transfer potatoes to a bowl. Add heavy cream and cheese, then whip using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy. Optional: Season your mashed potatoes with salt, pepper, or a pinch of garlic powder for added flavor.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and scallions, then cook until softened. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. Drain the excess grease into a cup. Don't throw it down the sink drain!
- Pour the sauce over the meat mixture, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Press a thick layer of mashed potatoes into the bottom and up the sides of a springform pan. Leave room for the filling in the center. (The crust doesn't need to be perfect, just thick enough to hold the filling without collapsing.)
- Spoon the meat mixture into the center. Smooth the top, leaving a little space at the top so it doesn’t bubble over.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the potato edges are slightly golden.
Notes
- You can use lean or regular ground beef. To make this low fat, use ground turkey or chicken.
- I recommend using russet potatoes because russet potatoes whip up fluffier.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, use dairy-free cream and a dairy-free cheddar like Daiya, VioLife, or Kite Hill brands.
- This casserole will keep up to 3 days in an airtight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, my rule of thumb is to add more flour if your dough or batter is wet and add more liquid if the dough or batter is too dry!
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
Love this idea! I look forward to trying it for my very picky 13 year old who was just diagnosed with Celiac. We will unfortunately have to leave out the worcestershire sauce. I’ve not been able to find a gluten-free brand of it yet. =( I have found gluten free Soy Sauce though (while hunting for coconut aminos)!
Leaving out the worcestershire is fine and won’t change the flavor that much. I hope he loves it.