Sloppy Joes (Print Version)

Savory ground beef in tangy tomato sauce on soft buns

# What You'll Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80–85% lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 1 tsp yellow mustard
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 cup water

→ To Serve

16 - 4 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
17 - Optional: sliced pickles, shredded cheddar cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned throughout, approximately 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir constantly and cook until vegetables are softened, about 3–4 minutes.
03 - Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and water. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
05 - Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.
06 - Spoon the hot beef mixture generously onto the bottom halves of toasted hamburger buns. Add pickles or shredded cheese if desired. Place the bun tops and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy dinner
  • The sweet and tangy sauce hits every single craving spot, and the messiness is part of the fun
  • This is the kind of meal that gets everyone talking and laughing around the table
02 -
  • The sauce needs at least 10 minutes of simmering to thicken properly, and rushing this step leaves you with thin, watery filling that slides right off the bun
  • Letting the beef get nicely browned in the first step creates those caramelized bits that add incredible depth to the final sauce
  • These sandwiches wait for no one, so have your buns ready and everyone at the table before you start scooping
03 -
  • Dice your vegetables really small so they cook down into the sauce instead of remaining in distinct chunks
  • Let the sauce rest for a few minutes off the heat before serving so it thickens up even more

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