Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

Home-made sloppy joes with no preservative-laden packet or pre-made sauce required. These are not only delicious, but they are quick and easy to make. They are perfect for a busy weeknight meal.

You can make it ahead of time and quickly reheat it in the microwave when you are ready to serve. Feeding a crowd? This recipe also doubles (or triples) well. and reheats well. One pound of meat will make 4-8 sandwiches depending on the size of the buns and how full you fill them. These are great for a busy weeknight meal. This recipe also doubles and reheats well so it’s good to feed a crowd. One pound of meat will make 4-6 sandwiches depending on the size of the buns and how full you fill them. 

The recipe is gluten-free, you can serve it on traditional or gluten-free buns or rolls. If you want to sneak extra vegetables in there you can add in finely diced zucchini and/or Italian squash.  I often do this when I want to make 1 lb of meat stretch a bit further or if the kids are on a vegetable strike.  

Sloppy Joes

Delicious and easy to make. Home-made sloppy joes with no packet or premade sauce required. These are great for a busy weeknight meal. This recipe also doubles and reheats well so it's good to feed a crowd. One pound of meat will make 4-6 sandwiches depending on the size of the buns and how full you fill them.
Course Dinner, Main Dish, Chicken, Turkey, Beef

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken * see note
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • ¾ cup diced onion
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup tomato sauce ** see note
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcester sauce
  • ¼ tablespoon prepared mustard can sub 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon rounded onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon rounded garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon rounded smoked paprika
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • hamburger buns for serving

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet or dutch oven over medium/medium-high heat, add the oil then brown the meat. Drain off any fat. While the meat is cooking, mix the remaining sauce ingredients together in a separate bowl. Set sauce aside.
  • Once the meat is browned, add the peppers, onion, and garlic and saute for 5-7 minutes until the veggies are soft.
  • Add the sauce, and mix well into the meat. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has reached the desired thickness.
  • Serve on a hamburger bun.

Notes

* A great way to sneak extra vegetables in here is to use one lb of ground meat, and 4 cups finely diced zucchini and/or yellow Italian squash.  Then double all of the sauce ingredients but omit the water (the squash will give off extra liquid).  Alternatively, you can use ½ lb. of meat, 2 cups of diced squash, and just omit the water.
** A 15 oz can of tomato sauce is a little over 1½ cups.  I freeze any extra tomato sauce in ½ cup portions to make it easy to use in future recipes. 

Related Posts

Crème Brûlée French Toast

Crème Brûlée French Toast

An amazing, light-and-fluffy, make-ahead, baked French toast that will have people asking you for the recipe. Be it Father’s day brunch, Christmas morning, or just a regular day breakfast, this is a simple but delicious dish that is a great addition to any brunch. I […]

Easy Sesame Chicken

Easy Sesame Chicken

A delicious, easy sesame chicken recipe that is great for a weeknight dinner. Lots of flavor with not a lot of time required. A big hit with all the kids. This is one of my go-to recipes for a busy weeknight.  It can be put […]