Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe

Last Updated on May 19, 2025 by Allison Lancaster

This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole is lovingly made with ground venison, sloppy Joe sauce, Rigatoni pasta and Monterey Jack cheese. It takes the classic sandwich that we love and transforms it into a cheesy and hearty baked dish.

Make Ahead Sloppy Joe Casserole

It’s so satisfying to be able to have a warm and comforting meal at the end of busy weeknights with your family. Even more so when you know you’ve made something that didn’t require so much effort but still came out really well. This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole with that very feeling in mind. I know how hard it can be to find meals that are easy to make, budget-friendly, and still feels like a treat. I also feel like we get stuck in a dinner rut sometimes and this casserole is a great way to mix up your weeknight meal routine.

What is this Sloppy Joe Casserole made of?

One of the best parts of this Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole is that venison is used instead of traditional ground beef. Not only is venison a lean, and very flavorful alternative, but it’s also a cost-effective one especially if you stock up on venison during hunting season, or if you have access to wild game.

This is a fantastic way to make use of the things you have in your pantry that’s guaranteed to be picky eater approved. Turning the traditional Sloppy Joe into a cheesy, baked pasta form is what makes this dish a hit.
If you don’t have access to venison, you can simply use lean ground beef, sausage, ground turkey or any ground meat of your choosing!

If you’ve been looking for a new weeknight staple, then look no further. This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole is one of those easy dinner ideas that’s bound to be one of your family favorites. It’s a comforting Sloppy Joe Casserole recipe that’s perfect to feed a crowd. It’s a delicious meal that’s as good as my Taco Casserole Recipe With Tortillas and Ravioli Casserole Recipe.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole

• Kid-Approved Flavor – Because this casserole dish is made of savory, slightly sweet Sloppy Joe meat and tomato sauce, it’s always a hit with the little ones and adults alike.
• Budget-Friendly – This recipe won’t break the bank because it’s made with only a handful of ingredients. Of course, if you have seasonings like Worcestershire sauce and spices like chili powder and smoked paprika, then by all means, add them to enhance the flavor.
• Great for Busy Weeknights – Moreover, with its quick prep and easy cleanup, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and will have dinner on the table in no time.
• Perfect for Leftovers – In case of leftovers, this casserole reheats wonderfully. That’s why it’s a great option for meal prepping or packing lunches.
• Freezer-Friendly – What’s more, you can double what you’re cooking so you can enjoy one now and keep another in the freezer for later.

Ingredients to Make This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole

Ground Venison: Basically ground deer meat, ground venison brings an earthy and rich flavor that goes really well with the Sloppy Joe sauce. Aside from that, it’s leaner than ground beef. As a result, you have a lighter casserole that doesn’t sacrifice taste.

Yellow Onion, Diced: This adds a touch of sweetness and depth to the sauce. When it’s sautéed with the meat, they bring out a savory aroma that’s the backbone of this comforting dish. Alternatively, you can use red onions if that’s what you have available for this Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole. 

Sloppy Joe Sauce: Things will be incredibly easier with this classic sauce. It’s perfectly seasoned and has that nostalgic Sloppy Joe flavor. It’s sweet, tangy and just a little savory. You can use your favorite tomato sauce if that’s what you have on hand.

Rigatoni Noodles: I love using rigatoni for this recipe because it’s hearty and sturdy. Cook them al dente so you don’t end up with mushy pasta while baking the casserole. You can also use other types of pasta such as bowtie, etc.

Cheddar Monterey Jack Cheese, Shredded: I love using this blend because of its gooey, melty goodness. It has just the right amount of richness, with cheddar offering a sharp bite, while Monterey Jack melts beautifully. Feel free to swap this with mozzarella if that’s more accessible to you.

How to Make This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Boil your pasta water in a pot.
2. Cook the Meat and Onion: Using a large skillet over medium heat, pour oil and allow it to heat up. Dice your onion, then once the oil shimmers, sauté it with the ground venison. Cook until the ground meat is browned and no longer pink, breaking it down with the back of a wooden spoon. Season it with salt and black pepper to taste.Optional: add a small amount of tomato paste and 2 minced garlic cloves to the meat as it cooks to enhance its richness.
3. Boil the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Cook it al dente so you don’t have mushy pasta once it’s baked.
4. Mix It All: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked meat and onions, pasta, Sloppy Joe sauce, and half of your shredded cheese. Optional: Sprinkle a teaspoon of brown sugar into the mixture to cut the tanginess if you find that it’s a bit much. Using granulated white sugar will do too.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Next, pour the pasta mixture into your greased baking dish. Top it with your remaining cheese, sprinkling it all over the surface evenly.
6. Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or just until it’s bubbly and the top is golden brown.
7. Enjoy! Once it’s done baking, you now have an Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole! Serve it hot with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color and grated Parmesan cheese. Finally, you can savor the flavor-packed goodness!

How to Serve This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole

This Easy and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole is hearty enough to serve on its own. But, you can make it a complete and nutritious meal by serving it with a few sides such as:

• A crisp green salad
• Steamed green beans or broccoli
• Garlic bread or rolls for soaking up the sauce
• I also have a ton of side dishes that go well with venison here.

How to Store Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for no longer than 4 days.
• Reheat: If you have individual portions, pop them in the microwave or reheat the entire dish in the oven at 325°F until warmed through.
• Freeze: Wrap the entire casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw your frozen casserole overnight in the fridge and reheat as directed above.
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

If you’re looking for new ground venison recipes, this easy and family-friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole is a great one to add to your rotation. It has so much flavor, is comforting, convenient and can be on your dinner table in no time. I would love to hear how yours turn out in the comments. Enjoy!

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Comforting and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

This Comforting and Family-Friendly Venison Sloppy Joe Casserole is lovingly made with ground venison, sloppy Joe sauce, Rigatoni pasta and Monterey Jack cheese.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 - 15 oz cans Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce
• 16 oz box Rigatoni noodles, cooked al dente
• 8 oz cheddar Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees; grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.

2. Dice the onion, then add the ground beef and diced onion to a medium skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until the meat is no longer pink.

3. While the meat is cooking, cook the pasta noodles according to package directions until they are al dente.

4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked beef and onion, sauce, noodles and half the cheese. Pour into a greased casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Finally, serve and enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 462Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 1528mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 3gSugar: 13gProtein: 28g