This easy Whole30 friendly and Paleo Sloppy Joe Casserole is a perfect weeknight family dinner recipe, and it’s great for leftover as well! It’s a delicious twist on a childhood favorite.
I’ve been loving getting creative in the kitchen lately ever since I handed in my manuscript for my Korean Paleo cookbook, now that most of my energy isn’t spent on creating and perfecting recipes for the cookbook. Also, I’ve been eating SO MUCH Korean food during the cookbook writing process, so all-American dishes like this Paleo Sloppy Joe Casserole is such a welcome change in the kitchen.
Paleo Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe
I don’t know if I can even describe this Paleo Sloppy Joe Casserole in a way that’s accurate enough to justify how tasty it is. It’s basically sloppy joes in a casserole form (duh), baked with extra sauce to coat the spaghetti squash that it’s cooked with. The concept is so simple, but the flavors are so comforting and takes me back to my childhood home cooked meals.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
This recipe is pretty dang easy on its own, but becomes even easier if you own an Instant Pot. The first thing you are going to have to do is cook your spaghetti squash, and if you use the Instant Pot method, you don’t even have to cut the squash before cooking it. I love that because cutting a whole squash is always a pain in the butt involving a lot of arm muscles, the ones I don’t have. Time to fit in some arm workouts.
The rest of the steps are pretty straightforward, and you’ll glad to hear that the leftovers are delicious as well. I’ve tried reheating it in the oven and in the microwave, and they both tasted great and retained moisture well. It’s a great weeknight meal to feed a family, and if you have a busy week coming up, double up the recipe and cook it in a 9×13 baking dish to enjoy the leftovers for days!
Paleo Sloppy Joe Casserole (Whole30 Compliant)
Ingredients
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar-free ketchup or another ketchup if you are not on Whole30
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 eggs whisked
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the squash is cooked through and the skin is soft when you press on it.
- OR, use the Instant Pot method to cook the spaghetti squash: Place the steamer rack that came with the Instant Pot in the pot, and pour in 1 cup of water. Place the whole spaghetti squash, uncut, on the rack. Screw on the lid, make sure the pressure valve is closed, then cook for 20 minutes on manual. Release the pressure immediately and open the lid. Cut the squash in half.
- Remove and discard the seeds, then transfer the threads of the spaghetti squash to an 10x10 baking dish.
- Lower or preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add ground beef, onion, and garlic, and cook stirring until the beef is browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain the liquid from the skillet.
- Add tomato sauce, ketchup, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, and sea salt, and stir together. Remove from heat.
- Pour the sloppy joes mixture over the spaghetti squash and stir together with a fork. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Mix in whisked eggs until well combined.
- Bake in the oven for 1 hour.
- Cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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Comfort food indeed!! This looks perfect for a casserole, and whole30 to boot, love it!
This looks like the PERFECT comfort food casserole. YUM!
I gotta say, I love that you make sure recipes pass the leftovers test – especially with casserole, I love to know the best way to reheat! Now, I’m SO in love with this comfort food combo. Humble foods paired together make something special sometimes… this is a great example!! 😉
I have a mild sloppy Joe obsession and can’t wait to try this!
What an awesome idea to use spaghetti squash, this looks so comforting and delicious!
This sounds awesome! Do you think it could be made without the eggs?
You can, but it won’t bind together like a casserole. It’ll still taste good though, just a bit runny.
What a lovely plate of comfort food. Yum. I love it !
This looks like a warm and comforting meal that will satisfy. Will be making this soon 🙂
That looks absolutely divine! I need to make some nightshade free ketchup just for this recipe!
Christina, do you have a favorite nightshade free ketchup recipe? Thank you.
I have never had a sloppy joe! I can’t wait to try this.