Description
A delicious and hearty Sloppy Joe Crescent Bake combining savory ground beef in a tangy BBQ sauce, layered with cheese and baked between flaky crescent dough sheets for an easy, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base and Cheese
- 2 (8-oz) cans crescent dough sheets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices American cheese
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Meat and Sauce
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 4 tsp yellow mustard
- 4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 4 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 tsp brown sugar
- 4 tsp chili powder
- 4 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Thickening Agent
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp hot water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown 2 pounds of ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up into crumbles. Drain excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Return the drained ground beef to the skillet. Add 1 can (8 oz) of tomato sauce, 1 cup barbecue sauce, 4 teaspoons yellow mustard, 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 4 teaspoons brown sugar, 4 teaspoons chili powder, 4 teaspoons onion powder, and 2 teaspoons garlic powder. Stir well to combine all the flavors and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon hot water until smooth. Pour this into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove the skillet from heat once thickened.
- Assemble the Bake: Press one can of crescent dough sheets evenly onto the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a crust. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the dough. Spread the thickened ground beef mixture on top of the cheese layer. Lay 6 slices of American cheese evenly over the beef mixture. Finally, cover with the second can of crescent dough sheets, pressing gently to seal the edges.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sesame seeds over the top crescent dough layer for added texture and flavor. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Let the bake cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm as a comforting and crowd-pleasing main dish.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For extra heat, add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Use reduced-fat cheese to lower fat content if preferred.
- Ensure to drain the beef fat well to prevent a greasy bake.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
