This crescent roll Sloppy Joe casserole layers sweet and tangy ground beef filling and melted cheese over a buttery crescent roll crust, all baked in one dish. With just 4 ingredients and about 35 minutes, it’s one of the easiest weeknight dinners you can pull together on a busy night.
More Sloppy Joe Casseroles
Before You Get Started
A few tips that make a real difference with this casserole:
- Look for the crescent dough sheet. The dough sheet (no perforations) is easier to work with than regular crescent rolls since you can press it into the pan without sealing seams. If you can only find the regular rolls, just press the seams together firmly before adding the filling.
- Don’t oversauce the meat. Start with about 1 cup of Manwich. Too much liquid can make the crust soggy, and you can always add a little more sauce if you prefer a wetter filling.
- Add veggies to bulk it up. Sauteed onion, diced bell pepper, or minced garlic are all easy additions that round out the filling without adding much time. Stir them into the skillet with the beef.
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How to Make Crescent Roll Sloppy Joe Casserole
This casserole is as straightforward as it gets. The crust goes in first, the filling goes on top, and the oven takes care of the rest.
Step 1: Press the Crust
Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 11×7-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Unroll the crescent dough and press it into the bottom of the dish to form an even crust.
If using regular crescent rolls, pinch the seams together so the crust holds together under the filling.
⇢ A 9×13-inch dish works too. The crust and filling layer will be a little thinner, but the casserole bakes up just as well. For a heartier dish with thicker layers, the 11×7-inch pan is the better fit.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain off the excess grease.
Stir in about 1 cup of sloppy joe sauce and taste for seasoning. Keep the filling on the saucy side but not soupy; too much liquid will soften the crust.
⇢ Prefer a from-scratch filling? The sauce from my Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes works great here in place of the canned version. For something a little different, my Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes uses a savory Italian-style sauce that pairs really well with a crescent roll crust.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Cut into squares, garnish with sliced green onion or fresh parsley if you’d like, and serve warm.
Serve It Up
This casserole is easy to round out with a simple side. A classic macaroni salad or summer corn salad are both laid-back fits that match the casual feel of the dish.
Garlic roasted broccoli is a quick and easy option if you want something warm on the side.
Storage and Make-Ahead
Refrigerator: Leftovers keep in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. The crust will soften as it sits, so this one is best enjoyed right away. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Freezer: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the ground beef filling up to 3 days ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to assemble, press the crescent dough into the dish, add the filling and cheese, and bake as directed. You can also assemble the full casserole and refrigerate it the same day; just plan to bake it within a few hours so the crust doesn’t absorb too much moisture from the filling.
Freeze Before Baking: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. If using a freezer-to-oven-safe dish, bake directly from frozen: keep the dish covered for the first 20 minutes, then uncover and continue baking for 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is golden and the filling is hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manwich the same as sloppy joe sauce?
Manwich is a brand of canned sloppy joe sauce, so yes, they’re the same thing. Any store-brand sloppy joe sauce works just as well here. If you’d rather make your own from scratch, the sauce from my Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes recipe is a great substitute.
What’s the difference between crescent dough sheets and regular crescent rolls?
Crescent dough sheets are the same dough without the perforations, which makes them easier to press into a pan as a crust. If you can only find the regular crescent roll version, just press the dough into the pan and pinch the seams together firmly before adding the filling.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork all work well here. The filling comes together the same way; just drain off any excess liquid before stirring in the sauce.
More Crescent Roll Dinners to Try
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Crescent Roll Sloppy Joe Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury crescent roll dough (Crescent Dough Sheet preferred)
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 cup Sloppy Joe sauce (such as Manwich)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese
- Optional garnish: sliced green onion; chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, or thyme); pickles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Unroll crescent dough and press into the bottom of the dish to form a crust. Pinch any seams together if using regular crescent rolls. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain off the excess grease. Stir in the sloppy joe sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly over the crescent roll crust. Sprinkle the cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Cut into squares, garnish as desired, and serve.
Notes
- Crescent dough sheet vs. regular rolls: The dough sheet has no perforations, so it’s easier to press into a pan. If using regular crescent rolls, pinch the seams together firmly so the crust holds under the filling.
- Don’t oversauce: Start with 1 cup of sauce. Too much liquid can make the crust soggy.
- Cheese options: Cheddar and Mexican blend both work great. Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or Monterey Jack are also good swaps.
- Protein swaps: Ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or ground sausage can be used in place of beef.
- Bulk it up: Stir in sauteed diced onion, bell pepper, or minced garlic with the beef for a heartier filling.
- For an Italian twist: Use ground Italian sausage and swap the sloppy joe sauce for marinara or pizza sauce.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the beef filling up to 3 days ahead. Assemble and bake when ready.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Best enjoyed fresh; the crust softens as it sits.
Nutrition
Originally published in October, 2023, this post was updated in April, 2026.
Hi Blair! I haven’t tried the recipe yet but can tell from the ingredients and directions that whatever I do with it will turn out great. I’ve been cooking for quite a few years, so adjust recipes to my family’s preferences. I follow quite a few food bloggers, but there are only a few that I totally trust their recipes. And yours is one of my favorites! Thanks!!
Thank you for saying that, Beverly. I hope that you enjoy the meal!
I have a question – should we cook the crescent roll layer on its own for just a few minutes to make sure it cooks through because I’ve made things similar to this and covering the crescent roll with meat and sauce would leave most of the crescent roll gooey and uncooked….. Should I cook it for a few minutes first just to be safe? I have tons of Sloppy Joe meat left over from our Sloppy Joe last night and thought this casserole would be perfect for the leftovers and something the kids would love – I just don’t want to ruin it.
Hey, Courtney! Yes, you can absolutely do that! I haven’t had the soggy crust issue with this particular recipe; however, if you want to be extra sure that the crust is cooked and crisp, you can give it a head start for 5-10 minutes before adding the meat on top. Hope your family loves it!