Description
These sloppy joes are made with a rich, smoky sauce, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and gooey melted provolone cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, they’ll become an instant favorite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (preferably smoky-flavored)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional, for extra smokiness)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- 4 sandwich rolls or hamburger buns
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- Butter for toasting the buns (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up into crumbles. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make the Smoky Sauce:
- Stir in the ketchup, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
- Toast the Buns (Optional):
- Spread butter on the cut sides of the sandwich rolls and toast them in a skillet or under the broiler until golden brown.
- Assemble the Sandwiches:
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun.
- Place a slice of provolone cheese on top of the meat mixture. Cover with the top bun.
- To melt the cheese, you can place the sandwiches on a baking sheet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or cover the skillet briefly over low heat.
- Serve:
- Serve the sandwiches warm with a side of coleslaw, potato chips, or a simple salad.
Notes
- Make Ahead: The sloppy joe filling can be made a day in advance and reheated before serving.
- Bun Choices: Use brioche buns, pretzel rolls, or ciabatta for a gourmet twist.
- Customize: Add sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, or jalapeños for extra flavor.