Keto Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

This keto sloppy Joe cornbread casserole recipe takes everything you love about a classic sloppy Joe and turns it into a hearty low-carb dinner the whole family can enjoy.

A savory, slightly sweet sloppy Joe ground beef filling is topped with a tender keto cornbread layer made with coconut flour, cream cheese, butter, and just a few drops of sweet corn extract. Then, cheddar cheese is added before the casserole is baked until golden.

You get all the familiar flavors of sloppy Joes and cornbread without the bun, traditional cornmeal, or added sugar.

At only 4.2 net carbs per serving, this easy keto sloppy joe casserole is a filling option for busy weeknights, game day, or anytime you're craving an old-fashioned comfort food favorite while keeping your carbs low.

If you've been missing traditional cornbread since going keto, be sure to check out my complete collection of keto cornbread recipes. You may also enjoy my keto tamale pie for another hearty ground beef dinner topped with low-carb cornbread.

It's a great addition to your keto meal planner since it's comfort food that you can proudly share at the dinner table.

Why You'll Love This Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole

This recipe gives you two comfort food favorites in one easy casserole.

Low carb and gluten-free. Instead of Jiffy corn muffin mix or traditional cornmeal, the topping is made with coconut flour.

Homemade sloppy Joe flavor. Sugar-free ketchup, tomato sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings create a sweet and tangy sauce without relying on canned sloppy Joe sauce.

Only 4.2 net carbs per serving. You can enjoy the flavor of a sloppy Joe and cornbread casserole without the high-carb bun or traditional cornbread.

Great for family dinners. Ground beef, cheesy cornbread, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce make this a filling one-dish meal.

Easy to customize. Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef, and the heat can easily be adjusted by adding more or less hot sauce.

Low-Carb Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

If you've never had a traditional sloppy Joe, it consists of ground beef that has been cooked with a sweet tomato sauce and served on a toasted bun.

This keto sloppy Joe cornbread casserole recipe uses ground beef, and instead of using tons of sugar, it utilizes a combination of sugar-free ketchup, tomato sauce, and a little sugar substitute for the sloppy Joe sauce.

The original was always one of my favorite foods to eat growing up, and I have many fond memories of getting extremely messy eating them at family gatherings.

This dish is excellent for making leftovers stretch further on a weeknight or as a filling and mess-free meal for game day!

Making this a casserole that uses a keto cornbread mixture as the topping instead of sweet cornbread from a corn muffin mix makes it both gluten-free and much easier to eat without being covered in sauce!

This dish can be made with leftovers, which means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time at the table with the family.

Ingredients For This Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole

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The following are all the ingredients you will need to make this keto-friendly sloppy Joe cornbread casserole. Note that the full printable recipe card as well as the nutritional information, are at the bottom of the page.

Keto Sloppy Joe Filling

• Ground beef
• Onions
• Garlic
• Black pepper
• Sea salt
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Sugar-free ketchup
• Tomato sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sugar substitute
• Splash of hot sauce (optional)

Keto Cornbread Topping

• Coconut flour
• Sugar substitute
• Sweet corn extract
• Baking powder
• Sea salt
• Heavy cream
• Water
• Eggs, room temperature
• Cream cheese, softened
• Unsalted butter
• Shredded cheddar cheese

How To Make This Keto sloppy joe Casserole

If you've never made sloppy Joes from scratch, don't stress it; it doesn't get much easier (or more delicious!) than making your own homemade sloppy Joe sauce!

It's not only easy to make but so much yummier than the canned stuff! And don't even get me started on all the extra sugar they sneak into those premade sauces.

To make this gluten-free dish, you'll start by cooking your ground beef with onions, garlic, and spices. Then, add in the sugar-free ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, hot sauce, and vinegar.

While that simmers and all the flavors meld together, you can create the cornbread topping by combining the eggs, heavy cream and water or coconut milk, softened cream cheese, melted butter and corn extract.

Once combined, you'll add the coconut flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar substitute and mix well.

Then all you need to do is assemble the casserole by spreading the sloppy Joe beef mixture and sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, topping this layer with the "cornbread" batter and some shredded cheddar cheese, and popping it in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown.

Tips For The Best Keto Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

Let the sloppy Joe filling simmer. Give the beef mixture about 10 minutes to simmer so the sauce has time to thicken and the flavors can come together.

Soften the cream cheese. Room-temperature cream cheese combines much more easily with the eggs, cream, water, and butter and helps create a smoother cornbread batter.

Let the melted butter cool slightly. Adding very hot butter directly to the eggs can cause them to begin cooking.

Do not substitute coconut flour cup for cup. Coconut flour absorbs significantly more liquid than almond flour, so the two cannot be substituted equally.

Check the center before removing the casserole from the oven. Insert a toothpick into the cornbread portion of the casserole. It should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

Let the casserole rest before serving. A short resting time helps the layers set and makes the casserole easier to scoop and serve.

Can I Use Almond Flour Instead Of Coconut Flour?

I do not recommend replacing the coconut flour with almond flour in this recipe using the same measurements. Coconut flour and almond flour absorb liquid very differently, so a direct substitution will not give you the same results.

If you prefer almond flour, use my Easy Keto Cornbread Made With Almond Flour as your starting point rather than trying to convert the coconut flour topping.

Can I Use Ground Turkey Or Chicken?

Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef.

Several readers have already made the casserole successfully with other ground meats, making this an easy recipe to adapt to what you have on hand.

Since leaner meats contain less fat than ground beef, take care not to overcook them before adding the sloppy Joe sauce.

Can I Make Keto Sloppy Joe Casserole Ahead Of Time?

You can prepare the sloppy Joe filling ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to assemble the casserole.

For the best cornbread texture, I recommend making the coconut flour topping shortly before baking rather than storing the mixed batter overnight.

If your filling has been refrigerated, warm it before assembling the casserole. Starting with warm filling helps the cornbread topping bake more evenly.

How To Store And Reheat Leftovers

Store leftover sloppy Joe cornbread casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave, or you can place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and warm it in the oven until heated through.

The casserole can also be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container. For easier meals later, consider freezing individual portions so you can thaw only what you need.

What To Serve With Keto Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole

This is already a hearty meal thanks to the ground beef and cornbread topping, so I like pairing it with something simple.

A crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or sautéed zucchini would all make easy low-carb side dishes.

You can also serve it on its own for an easy one-dish dinner.

Tag Us

I sure hope you will try this easy meal; it clocks in at only 4.2 net carbs per serving, making it a great keto option.

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Be sure to check out our entire collection of keto ground beef recipes for more delicious options!

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It's my prayer that these keto cookbooks will help make keto a delicious breeze for you.

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To say we needed God's intervention is to put it mildly. When we followed the Holy Spirit's prompting, we got on the path to real transformation.

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