This Sloppy Joes Recipe is a classic comfort food dinner that's ready in a total of 20 minutes! Tender and juicy ground beef is simmered with peppers and onions in a sweet and spicy tomato sauce.
Cook ground beef, onion and pepper in a large skillet over medium high heat until meat is browned and onion is translucent.
Stir in garlic, salt, chili powder and pepper and cook 1 minute.
Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, tomato paste, mustard and red pepper flakes and stir well. Add water to thin sauce if desired.
Bring to a simmer over medium high heat and then reduce to medium low. Simmer until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
Serve over buns.
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Notes
Notes:
Play with flavor. Sloppy joe filling is very forgiving. Prefer a sweeter sauce? Add more brown sugar. Love the spice? Add a drizzle of hot sauce or sriracha!
Add more veggies. Sloppy joe filling is a great way to sneak some veggies into a meal...especially if you have picky kiddos. ;) Try adding mushrooms, peas, carrots, celery, zucchini, spinach, you name it. Make sure you chop any extra veggies pretty small so they incorporate well into the sauce.
Double the recipe. Sloppy joes store beautifully either in the fridge or in the freezer. Get ahead on meal planning and double the recipe!
If the sauce is too thin, simmer it longer to allow it time to thicken. Keep in mind that the sauce will also thicken as it sits.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out. Don't add too much water though because you don't want to dilute the flavor!
Storage:Leftover sloppy joe filling will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then warm on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to thin, if necessary.