Description
These Easy Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Bombs combine creamy, cheesy macaroni and cheese with savory sloppy joe ground beef, all wrapped in a golden, crispy biscuit shell. This fun and flavorful recipe is perfect for game days, family dinners, or kid-friendly parties, blending classic comfort foods into one irresistible bite.
Ingredients
For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- 1 tube refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the bomb shells.
- Cook the sloppy joe filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened. Drain excess grease to avoid soggy filling.
- Add seasonings and simmer: Stir in minced garlic, tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until it thickens.
- Prepare the cheese sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add milk and thicken sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens slightly, creating a creamy base.
- Incorporate cheeses and seasoning: Reduce the heat and mix in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring until the cheese melts smoothly.
- Combine macaroni with cheese sauce: Fold the cooked elbow macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated and creamy.
- Prepare biscuit dough: Separate each biscuit dough piece and gently flatten it into a round circle suitable for stuffing.
- Fill the dough: Place a spoonful of the mac and cheese mixture and then a spoonful of the sloppy joe filling in the center of each dough circle, careful not to overfill.
- Seal the bombs: Gently pull the dough edges around the filling and pinch them firmly to seal completely, ensuring no filling escapes during baking.
- Arrange and glaze: Place each sealed bomb seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with melted butter mixed with Italian seasoning for a flavorful, golden crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the biscuit shells turn golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bombs to cool for a few minutes before serving. This makes handling easier and prevents burns from hot filling.
Notes
- Avoid overfilling the dough to ensure the bombs seal properly and don’t burst during baking.
- Refrigerated pizza dough can be used as an alternative to biscuit dough for a different texture.
- Serve the bombs with extra ketchup or warm marinara sauce for dipping to enhance flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Dinner, Kid-Friendly
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
