Sloppy Joes with Tangy Tomato Sauce (Printable)

Savory ground beef simmered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce with onions and peppers, piled onto toasted hamburger buns.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meat & Protein

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80-85% lean)

→ Vegetables

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

→ Sauce & Seasonings

05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 2 tbsp ketchup
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
10 - 1 tsp yellow mustard
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
15 - 1/4 cup water

→ To Serve

16 - 4 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
17 - Optional: sliced pickles, shredded cheddar cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
03 - Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and water. Mix well to combine.
04 - Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, until thickened to your liking.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
06 - Spoon the hot beef mixture onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Top with pickles and cheese if desired. Close with the top buns and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time eating
  • The sweet and tangy sauce hits that nostalgic spot everyone secretly craves
  • Its the kind of meal that brings people to the table without any formal announcement
02 -
  • The sauce continues to thicken as it cools, so dont reduce it too much on the stove
  • Letting the mixture rest for a few minutes off the heat helps the flavors marry together
  • Sloppy joes are called sloppy for a reason, embrace the mess
03 -
  • Use a potato masher to break up the ground beef into extra small pieces
  • Let the toasted buns cool slightly before piling on the hot meat

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