Sloppy Joes Classic Sandwich (Printable version)

Savory ground beef in a tangy tomato sauce piled on soft buns, perfect for casual meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce & Seasonings

05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

→ To Serve

15 - 4 soft hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
16 - Dill pickle slices (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened, approximately 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili powder if using.
04 - Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
05 - Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as desired.
06 - Spoon the meat sauce generously onto the bottom halves of toasted buns. Add pickle slices if desired, then cover with the top halves. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in 30 minutes flat, so dinner won't feel like a chore on those chaotic evenings.
  • One skillet means minimal cleanup, which is honestly half the battle of cooking at home.
  • The sauce strikes that perfect balance between tangy, sweet, and savory that makes you keep coming back for more.
02 -
  • Draining excess fat after browning the beef is crucial; too much grease makes the sauce separate and taste heavy instead of cohesive.
  • Don't skip the 10-minute simmer—those minutes matter for the sauce to thicken and the flavors to actually become one thing instead of tasting like separate ingredients.
  • If your sauce looks too thin after simmering, just let it bubble gently for another few minutes; it'll thicken more than you'd expect as it cools slightly.
03 -
  • Add a splash of beef broth or beef stock to the sauce if it seems too thick or too concentrated; it loosens everything up and adds depth.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in an airtight container—reheats beautifully and becomes instant dinner on a night when you're too tired to cook.
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