Description
This indulgent twist on Sloppy Joes combines creamy mac and cheese with savory seasoned beef, all piled high on a toasted bun. It’s comfort food taken to the next level, perfect for family dinners or a crowd-pleasing treat!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the sloppy joe mixture:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1/2 cup (75 g) diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce or ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the mac and cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni or small pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For assembly:
- 4–6 burger buns, toasted
- Optional toppings: pickles, chopped green onions
Instructions
Prepare the sloppy joe mixture:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make the mac and cheese:
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Season with mustard powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Add the cooked pasta and stir to coat.
Assemble the sloppy joes:
- Spoon a generous layer of the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Top with a scoop of mac and cheese.
- Add optional toppings like pickles or green onions, place the top bun on, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Leftovers can be stored separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce to the sloppy joe mixture or the mac and cheese.