Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese is the ultimate collision of two childhood comfort food titans. Ree Drummond is famous for her ranch-style, hearty cooking, and this recipe is no exception—it is unashamedly rich, savory, and satisfying. It combines the tangy, sweet-and-savory flavors of a classic tomato-based Sloppy Joe with the creamy, gooey indulgence of homemade macaroni and cheese. It’s a casserole that feeds a crowd and guarantees there won’t be leftovers.

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Spicy Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe

🧡 Why You Will Love This Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe:

• The Best of Both Worlds: You don’t have to choose between a meat sauce and a cheese sauce; this recipe swirls them together for a flavor explosion.
• Kid-Approved: It takes the “scary” out of dinner by using familiar flavors like ketchup, cheddar, and mild ground beef.
• Pantry Staples: It relies on basic ingredients you likely have on hand: ground beef, onions, pasta, and block cheese.
• Make-Ahead Potential: You can assemble the entire casserole in the morning and simply pop it in the oven when dinner time rolls around.

🧆 Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Ingredients

The Sloppy Joe Base:

• 1 lb (450g) Ground Beef: Lean or extra lean.
• ½ Onion: Diced.
• ½ Green Bell Pepper: Diced (essential for that classic Sloppy Joe flavor).
• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced.
• 1 cup Tomato Sauce: Or crushed tomatoes.
• ½ cup Ketchup: For sweetness and tang.
• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar: To balance the acidity.
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce: For depth.
• 1 tsp Yellow Mustard: Prepared mustard.
• 1 tsp Chili Powder: For a subtle background heat.

The Mac & Cheese:

• 1 lb (450g) Elbow Macaroni: Dry weight.
• 4 tbsp Butter: Salted.
• 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour: To thicken the sauce.
• 2.5 cups Whole Milk: Warmed slightly.
• 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Grated fresh.
• 1 cup Monterey Jack (or Velveeta): For extra creaminess.
• Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.

🥘 How To Make Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

1. Boil the Pasta: Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted water until al dente (usually 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions, as it will cook more in the oven). Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the Meat: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and green pepper halfway through and cook until the vegetables are soft and the beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Make it “Sloppy”: Stir in the garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 5–10 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
4. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to make a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheeses until melted and smooth.
5. Combine: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to coat.
6. The Mashup: You can serve it two ways: either fold the meat mixture directly into the mac and cheese for a uniform dish, OR transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and swirl the meat sauce on top for a marbled effect. Ree often tops it with a little extra cheese.
7. Bake (Optional): If you want a crispy top, transfer to a buttered 9×13 baking dish, top with extra cheddar, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.

👉 Recipe Tips

• Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents (cellulose) that prevent it from melting into a smooth sauce. Always grate from a block.
• Don’t Overcook Pasta: Since the pasta gets mixed with hot cheese sauce and hot meat sauce (and potentially baked), boil it just until it has a slight bite so it doesn’t turn mushy.
• The Green Pepper: Even if you have picky eaters, try to include the green bell pepper finely diced. It provides the distinct savory note that makes it taste like a “Sloppy Joe” rather than just meat sauce.
• Adjust Sweetness: Sloppy Joes are traditionally sweet. Taste the meat sauce before combining; if it’s too tart, add a teaspoon more brown sugar.

🥗 What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese?

This is a heavy, carb-loaded meal, so you need something light or acidic to balance it. A crisp Iceberg Wedge Salad with ranch dressing fits the theme perfectly. Cornbread or garlic toast is great for scooping up the sauce. For a vegetable side, simple steamed broccoli or green beans work well to cut through the richness.

🎚 How To Store Leftovers Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese?

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. The pasta will absorb the sauce as it sits, making it denser the next day.
• Freezer: It freezes surprisingly well. Place in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

🥵 How To Reheat Leftovers Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese?

• Stovetop: Place in a saucepan with a splash of milk to loosen the cheese sauce. Heat gently over medium-low, stirring frequently.
• Oven: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.
• Microwave: Heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between. Add a splash of water if it looks dry.

FAQs

More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Tex-Mex Mac and Cheese Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Lasagna Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Sausage and Peppers Recipe

📊 Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~650 kcal
• Total Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Cholesterol: 110mg
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 55g
• Protein: 32g

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe

Recipe by Imen DridiCourse: Main, Lunch, DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6-8

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

650

kcal

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese is a hearty, ranch-style casserole. It combines a sweet and tangy ground beef Sloppy Joe mixture with a creamy, homemade cheddar macaroni and cheese, resulting in a comforting, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

• The Sloppy Joe Base:

• 1 lb (450g) Ground Beef: Lean or extra lean.

• ½ Onion: Diced

• ½ Green Bell Pepper: Diced (essential for that classic Sloppy Joe flavor).

• 2 cloves Garlic: Minced.

• 1 cup Tomato Sauce: Or crushed tomatoes.

• ½ cup Ketchup: For sweetness and tang.

• 1 tbsp Brown Sugar: To balance the acidity.

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce: For depth.

• 1 tsp Yellow Mustard: Prepared mustard.

• 1 tsp Chili Powder: For a subtle background heat.

• The Mac & Cheese:

• 1 lb (450g) Elbow Macaroni: Dry weight.

• 4 tbsp Butter: Salted.

• 4 tbsp All-Purpose Flour: To thicken the sauce.

• 2.5 cups Whole Milk: Warmed slightly.

• 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Grated fresh.

• 1 cup Monterey Jack (or Velveeta): For extra creaminess.

• Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.

Directions

• Boil the Pasta: Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted water until al dente (usually 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions, as it will cook more in the oven). Drain and set aside.
• Brown the Meat: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and green pepper halfway through and cook until the vegetables are soft and the beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
• Make it “Sloppy”: Stir in the garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 5–10 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
• Make the Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to make a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheeses until melted and smooth.
• Combine: Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to coat.
• The Mashup: You can serve it two ways: either fold the meat mixture directly into the mac and cheese for a uniform dish, OR transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish and swirl the meat sauce on top for a marbled effect. Ree often tops it with a little extra cheese.
• Bake (Optional): If you want a crispy top, transfer to a buttered 9×13 baking dish, top with extra cheddar, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.

Notes

• Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents (cellulose) that prevent it from melting into a smooth sauce. Always grate from a block.
  Don’t Overcook Pasta: Since the pasta gets mixed with hot cheese sauce and hot meat sauce (and potentially baked), boil it just until it has a slight bite so it doesn’t turn mushy.
  The Green Pepper: Even if you have picky eaters, try to include the green bell pepper finely diced. It provides the distinct savory note that makes it taste like a “Sloppy Joe” rather than just meat sauce.
  Adjust Sweetness: Sloppy Joes are traditionally sweet. Taste the meat sauce before combining; if it’s too tart, add a teaspoon more brown sugar.