Save A classic American comfort food featuring savory ground beef in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce, served on soft hamburger buns. Perfect for a nostalgic, budget-friendly family dinner.
Growing up, sloppy joes were a staple for weeknight dinners at my house. I always loved how the sauce soaked into the soft bun and made every bite deliciously messy and satisfying.
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1 lb (450 g), 80/20 preferred
- Yellow onion: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Green bell pepper: 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Tomato sauce: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Ketchup: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp
- Yellow mustard: 1 tbsp
- Brown sugar: 1 tbsp
- Chili powder: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Ground black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Hamburger buns: 4, split and lightly toasted
- Butter: for toasting buns (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add & sauté veggies:
- Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 4 minutes.
- Mix in sauce ingredients:
- Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer:
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 8–10 minutes.
- Toast buns:
- While the mixture simmers, toast the hamburger buns on a skillet or in the oven, buttered if desired.
- Assemble & serve:
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with the other half and serve immediately.
Save My kids love piling on their own toppings &(like pickles or cheese)&, and it always turns dinner into a fun, messy occasion around our table.
Serving Suggestions
Try serving with classic potato chips, coleslaw, or a side of corn for the full comfort food experience.
Storage & Freezing
Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze up to 2 months.
Variations
Make it spicy with jalapeños, swap in ground turkey, or go vegetarian with lentils for the protein.
Save This messy classic never fails to bring smiles at dinner! Enjoy every saucy bite.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of ground beef works best?
Use 80/20 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and moisture when cooking.
- → Can I add other vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, finely chopped mushrooms or celery can complement the onion and bell pepper for added texture.
- → How do I thicken the tomato sauce properly?
Simmer the sauce uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally until it reduces and thickens to desired consistency.
- → Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
Absolutely; simply omit any butter used for toasting the buns or choose a dairy-free alternative.
- → Can this filling be stored for later use?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months without compromising quality.