This recipe for Sloppy Joe’s is perfect for a weeknight because it can be made in 30 minutes. Much better than the canned stuff at the grocery store!
Do you have those recipes that you remember eating as a child? When I think of my childhood, there are a few recipes that come to mind. This might sound crazy, but some of the meals I remember as a child were peaches and cream oatmeal, tuna sandwiches, and Sloppy Joe’s. Not that the first two meals aren’t great, but my mouth is salivating just telling you about this weeknight Sloppy Joe’s recipe.
What I love about these Sloppy Joe’s is that it can be made in 30 minutes (perfect for a weeknight meal) and it’s not the pre-made canned stuff that rhymes with Lanwich.
It’s kiiiiiind of like spaghetti- it’s a tomato-based recipe with ground beef but no, it’s not the same. Sloppy Joe’s are eaten as a sandwich and they are meant to get messy. Let’s just not even talk about the mess I made when I ate these Sloppy Joe’s.
You will start by sauteeing bell pepper and onion in a skillet with olive oil. Then you will add your ground beef (I used 80/20) and start breaking up your meat. While the meat is browning, you can do all of your mixing of the sloppy joe sauce ingredients together in a bowl: tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire, and of course a few seasonings- salt, pepper, cayenne, chili powder, and paprika. Once your beef is cooked, you will add the sloppy joe’s sauce into the skillet. Turn heat to low and cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Again, to re-live this childhood meal, I couldn’t resist topping off my sandwich with a slice of good, old-fashioned sliced American cheese. You won’t believe how good this is!
Clearly I enjoyed my Sloppy Joe’s with a side of onion rings and extra ketchup but they will go with anything you enjoy eating your sandwiches with.
Do you put cheese on top of your Sloppy Joe’s? I’d love to read your response below!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef (I used 80/20)
- 8 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- For serving:
- Hamburger buns
- Sliced American cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet to medium heat. Add bell pepper and onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until vegetables become soft.
- Add ground beef and cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until mostly browned.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire, salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
- Add sloppy joe's tomato mixture to the cooked beef and stir. Cover and turn to low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Serve as a sandwich and top with sliced American cheese if desired.