Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake is weeknight comfort food done right. It takes the classic, sweet-and-savory sloppy joe mixture and tops it with either flaky canned biscuits or buttery Cheddar Bay biscuits. Same base, two different vibes. One’s more of a saucy sandwich in a dish, the other feels like a full-blown casserole. Both are fast, filling, and built for busy nights.

Using canned or mix-based biscuits might feel like a shortcut, but they bring the texture and crunch this dish needs without dragging out the prep. It eats like something you planned all week, but you could throw it together after work.

Ingredients for Your Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake

Sloppy Joe Base

  • 3 lbs ground beef

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 small yellow onions, finely chopped

  • 2 green bell peppers, finely chopped

  • 2 tbsp garlic (jarred fine)

  • 3 tbsp tomato paste

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp paprika

  • 1 tsp chili powder

  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 1 tbsp salt

  • ½ tbsp black pepper

  • 1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce

Biscuit Topping (Choose One)

Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix

  • 2 packages Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, prepared per box instructions

  • 1 cup mild cheddar cheese (mixed into the dough)

  • Butter/seasoning packet (brushed on after baking)

Canned Biscuits

  • 2 (16 oz) cans refrigerated biscuits

  • 8 oz mild cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)

How to Make the Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake Filling

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until cooked through and browned, about 8–10 minutes. Drain off most of the fat, leaving just enough to carry flavor.

Add olive oil, onions, and bell peppers. Cook until the vegetables soften and take on some color, another 8–10 minutes.

Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Let it go for 2–3 minutes until it starts to darken and stick a little to the bottom.

Add the spices: cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir and toast them for about a minute.

Pour in the Worcestershire, soy sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Stir until combined.

Add the tomato sauce. Simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes until thick and saucy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, then set aside while you prep your biscuit topping.

Baking the Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake

If using canned biscuits:

Spoon the sloppy joe mixture into a 9×13 baking dish.
Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Arrange the canned biscuits evenly on top.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Uncover and bake another 5–10 minutes, until the biscuits are golden.

If using Cheddar Bay biscuit mix:

Prepare biscuit dough per box instructions and fold in the shredded cheese.
Drop spoonfuls over the sloppy joe mixture in a 9×13 dish.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
Remove foil, brush biscuits with the seasoning butter, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Why Your Sloppy Joe Biscuit Bake Will Taste Different Depending on the Biscuits

Your biscuit choice changes the entire eating experience. Cheddar Bay biscuits melt into the meat and become part of the dish. You get a rich, comforting casserole that eats like a one-scoop meal. Canned biscuits stay firmer and more distinct, which gives each serving the feel of a deconstructed sloppy joe sandwich. Both are good. It just depends on the vibe you’re going for.

Recipe Notes

Biscuit Shortcut, Real Dinner

Boxed or canned, biscuits keep this recipe weeknight-friendly without tasting like a shortcut. With the meat base bringing the depth, the biscuit layer just needs to show up crispy and hot. Bake it all together and dinner’s done.

Can I Make This Ahead?

You can absolutely prep the filling a day in advance. Store it in the fridge and reheat slightly before baking. Just don’t add the biscuits until you’re ready to go in the oven. That keeps them from getting soggy. This move turns the recipe into a true time-saver, especially when your weeknight’s already slammed.

Make It Spicy (If You Want To)

If you’re into a little heat, this dish can take it. Stir in a chopped jalapeño when the onions go in or spoon in some chipotle in adobo with the tomato sauce. Even a splash of hot sauce on top before baking works. The richness of the dish balances out the spice without blowing out your palate.