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Comforting Classic Sloppy Joes

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A quick and easy homemade sloppy joe recipe featuring savory ground beef in a tangy tomato sauce, perfect for family dinners and casual meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 4–6 soft hamburger buns

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the yellow onion, green bell pepper (if using), and mince the garlic.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned but still juicy. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the beef. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, and smoked paprika. Mix well to combine.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting sweetness or Worcestershire sauce as needed.
  7. Lightly toast the hamburger buns while the sauce simmers.
  8. Spoon generous portions of the sloppy joe mixture onto the toasted buns and serve immediately.

Notes

Use a splatter guard to keep your stovetop cleaner. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. For a milder sauce, add a teaspoon of honey. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.

Nutrition

Keywords: sloppy joes, classic sloppy joes, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, family meal, comfort food, homemade sloppy joes

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