Classic Sloppy Joes Sandwich (Printable)

Ground beef simmered in a sweet-savory tomato sauce with soft buns, ideal for easy family meals.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio preferred)

→ 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 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - ¼ teaspoon chili powder (optional)

→ To Serve

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

# Directions:

01 - Place ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it up and cook until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add finely chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
03 - Incorporate tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili powder if using. Stir to combine thoroughly.
04 - Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
05 - Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary to balance flavor.
06 - Spoon the beef mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add dill pickle slices if desired and cover with the top bun half. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's ready in 30 minutes flat, making it your secret weapon for nights when everyone's hungry and patience is thin.
  • The sauce strikes that perfect balance between sweet and tangy, with just enough savory depth to keep you wanting another bite.
  • It's forgiving enough for beginners but tasty enough that people actually ask for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the excess beef fat at the start—too much grease makes the final dish heavy and the sauce won't coat the meat properly.
  • The sauce needs those 10 minutes of simmering to let the flavors meld; rushing it tastes like you just dumped a can of tomato sauce over beef, which is boring.
  • Taste it before serving—every oven, every stove, every kitchen is different, and yours might need more salt or a hint of acid from a splash of vinegar.
03 -
  • For a richer sauce, add a splash of beef broth or a small pat of butter during simmering—it adds a subtle depth without changing the fundamental character of the dish.
  • If you find yourself with leftover filling, it reheats beautifully and actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to settle and deepen.
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