This classic Sloppy Joe is made with seasoned ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and a rich, saucy filling, then piled onto a soft bun with melty cheese. It's an easy, comforting dinner that always hits the spot.
Should You Make This?
Time: 40 Minutes
Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, tomato sauce, cheese, hamburger buns, oil, spices, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
Ease: Super simple! Everything cooks in one pan, and there's no fancy prep. It's a quick, satisfying dinner the whole family will love.
Sound Good? Jump to Recipe ⬇Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef - I use 90% lean, which means there's just enough fat for flavor without needing to drain any fat.
Cheddar Cheese - Cheddar and provolone melt well and add great flavor, but you can use any cheese you love-American, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
Hamburger Buns- Hamburger buns are my go-to, but brioche or potato buns work great too. Toasting the buns helps keep them from getting soggy.
Tomato Sauce - This is the base of the Sloppy Joe sauce. If needed, you can substitute crushed tomatoes or even ketchup in a pinch-just note that ketchup is sweeter, so you may want to reduce or skip the brown sugar.
Worcestershire sauce- Adds a deep, savory flavor. If you don't have any, soy sauce or steak sauce can work as a backup.
Cider Vinegar- Brings a little tang to balance the sweetness. You can use white vinegar, red wine vinegar, or even a squirt of yellow mustard instead.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Sloppy Joe
Step 1 | Cook the Beef and Veggies
Cook ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the veggies are soft, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 2 | Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce
Stir in tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar (or mustard), chili powder, salt, smoked paprika, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3 | Assemble
Toast the buns if you'd like, add a slice of cheese, then pile on the sloppy joe filling. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
Make it Ahead: The filling can be made 1-2 days in advance and reheated on the stove or in the microwave. It actually tastes even better the next day!
Customize the Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you like it spicy.
Cheese Options: Cheddar and provolone both melt well, but feel free to use American, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for extra flavor.
Common Questions
Let the mixture cool completely, then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
Yes, ground turkey or chicken works great for a lighter version. Just note that you may need a bit more seasoning since they're milder than beef.
Sides
- Tater Tots: Toss a bag of frozen tater tots into the oven as you make the sloppy joes.
- Potato Salad: Creamy, cool, and classic. The perfect make-ahead side to balance out the saucy sandwiches.
- Potato Chips: Easy, tasty, and no prep required. Just open the bag and pile them on the plate.
Tried this recipe? Let everyone know how it turned out! Your feedback and tips help others decide if they should make it.
Easy Classic Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced, or ½ of a large onion
- 1 large green bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef 90% lean works well
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef, diced onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the vegetables have softened, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, chili powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir everything together, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens to your liking. If the mixture gets too thick, add a little more water to loosen it up. If it's too thin, let it simmer a little longer uncovered. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- If desired, toast the hamburger buns. Place a slice of cheese on the bottom of each bun. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the buns, dividing evenly.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!