Sloppy Joes
Ground beef in a sweet, tangy tomato sauce piled onto bread. Messy on purpose. A crowd-pleasing dinner that stretches a pound of meat to feed a family.
Time
25 min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
4–6
Ingredients 6 items
- 1 lb ground beef (fresh or thawed)
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Bread or hamburger buns
- Optional: Ketchup (2 tablespoons — adds sweetness and tang), Mustard (1 teaspoon), Garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, Salt and pepper
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Knife and cutting board
- Can opener
- Stirring spoon
Allergens: Contains Gluten (bread/buns).
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef. Break it into small crumbles as it cooks, about 5–7 minutes, until no pink remains. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Add the tomato sauce and sugar. Stir in ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, or Worcestershire if you have them.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Spoon onto bread or buns. Serve hot.
notes & tips
- Ground turkey works too. Same method.
- No buns? Serve on any bread — even toast works. Or serve over rice.
- The sugar matters. It balances the acidity of the tomato sauce. Without it, the flavor is flat.
- Add a can of beans to stretch it further and add fiber.
- Leftovers: Great reheated. The sauce thickens overnight — add a splash of water.
- Kids love this. Embrace the mess.