This Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake is everything you love about the classic sloppy joe—tender, juicy beef in a savory, tangy sauce—all wrapped up in buttery, flaky crescent roll dough. It’s a cozy, comforting meal that’s easy to whip up and even easier to devour. Imagine the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and a little tang, all baked to golden perfection. It’s the kind of dish that will have you coming back for seconds (or thirds).
Trust me, you’ll want this one on your weeknight dinner rotation—it’s a game-changer!
Why You’ll Love Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake
This Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake is a crowd-pleaser with its unbeatable flavor and simplicity. Here’s why it’s a keeper:
Quick and Easy: With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, dinner is served in under an hour.
Comforting: It’s got that classic, warm, homey feel—perfect for busy evenings when you just want something hearty.
Kid-Friendly: Even the pickiest eaters will love the savory beef and flaky dough. It’s a surefire hit with the whole family!
Customizable: Add extra toppings like shredded cheese, pickles, or even a little extra spice for some heat.
One-Pan Wonder: Fewer dishes to wash, because everything bakes together in one delicious pan.
Ingredients in Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake
This easy recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients. No fuss, just flavor:
Ground Beef: The heart of this dish. Use lean ground beef to keep it a bit lighter.
Sloppy Joe Sauce: Whether homemade or store-bought, this tangy, sweet sauce is what makes this dish sing.
Crescent Roll Dough: You’ll need a can of crescent roll dough to form the golden, flaky crust.
Cheddar Cheese: Adds a gooey, melty layer of cheesy goodness that pulls everything together.
Onion (optional): If you like a little extra flavor, sauté some onions with the beef.
Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper: For seasoning your beef to perfection.
(Note: full measurements are in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Ready to make this cozy dish? Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1 – Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your bake gets that perfect golden crust.
Step 2 – Cook the Beef:
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Once browned, drain excess fat.
Step 3 – Mix the Sauce:
Stir in the sloppy joe sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
Step 4 – Prepare the Crescent Rolls:
Unroll the crescent roll dough on a baking dish, pressing it to form a bottom crust. You can pinch together the perforations to make it one solid layer.
Step 5 – Assemble the Bake:
Spread the sloppy joe mixture over the dough. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top, and then cover with another layer of crescent roll dough. Pinch the edges to seal everything in.
Step 6 – Bake It:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 7 – Serve and Enjoy:
Let it cool for a few minutes, then slice into squares and serve!
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: ~450-500
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
How to Serve Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake
This Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake is perfect on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with these sides:
- Crispy French Fries: Classic and comforting, just like the bake itself.
- Simple Salad: A light, crisp salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness of the dish.
- Coleslaw: Creamy, crunchy, and the perfect match for the savory sloppy joe filling.
Additional Tips
- Make It Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture or sprinkle red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Cheese Swap: Try using mozzarella or pepper jack cheese for a twist on the flavor.
- Extra Veggies: Sneak in some bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to bulk it up and add more flavor.
- Leftovers: This dish reheats wonderfully! Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for the best results.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use turkey instead of beef?
Yes! Ground turkey is a great lean alternative to beef.
2. Can I use homemade sloppy joe sauce?
Absolutely! Homemade sauce will give it an extra layer of flavor.
3. Can I freeze this bake?
Yes! You can freeze it before or after baking. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
4. Can I make this without cheese?
Definitely! It will still be delicious without the cheese, but it adds a nice touch of creaminess.
5. Can I use a different type of dough?
You can try pizza dough or biscuit dough for a different twist.
6. How do I know when it’s done?
The dough should be golden brown and fully cooked through. You can check the center with a toothpick to ensure it’s not doughy.
7. Can I add veggies to the beef mixture?
Yes! Adding finely chopped bell peppers, carrots, or spinach works great.
8. How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days in an airtight container.
9. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and dough ahead of time, then bake just before serving.
10. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Unfortunately, the crescent roll dough is not gluten-free. You could try a gluten-free dough alternative.
Conclusion
Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake is the kind of dish that makes weeknight dinners feel special without adding extra stress. It’s got everything you love—flaky dough, juicy beef, melty cheese, and bold flavors—all in one pan. So, next time you need a comforting, quick dinner, this bake will be your new best friend.
Print
Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake is a hearty and easy-to-make casserole that combines savory sloppy joe filling with flaky crescent roll dough, creating a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup sloppy joe sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 can (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion, and bell pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender, about 7-8 minutes.
- Drain excess fat, then stir in sloppy joe sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and lay it out in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, pressing the dough to fit the bottom and sides of the dish.
- Spread the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the dough.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Unroll the remaining crescent dough and lay it on top of the cheesy filling, pinching the edges to seal.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a few dashes of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe mixture.
- You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter option.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some garlic powder or onion powder over the top of the dough before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg