Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes
The ultimate comfort food, Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. With a blend of savory spices and wholesome ingredients, this dish guarantees happiness at the dinner table. Make it tonight for a deliciously satisfying meal!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Blender
- Saucepan
- Chef's Knife
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 medium red bell pepper cored, seeds removed
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar packed
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¾ cup sweet yellow or red onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- First, gather your ingredients together. This makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. Start by preparing the red bell pepper. After coring and removing the seeds, chop it finely. This will add a delightful texture and sweetness to your dish.
- Next, in a blender, combine the chopped bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, and ketchup. Blend for 20 seconds until smooth. If needed, scrape down the sides of the blender and blend for another 20 seconds. You want a creamy sauce that will coat the meat nicely.
- Now, heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add the garlic and onion. Sauté until the onion turns translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. This step builds a fragrant base for your sloppy joes.
- After the aromatics are ready, add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook it until no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. This should take around 5 to 7 minutes. Look for a nice brown color on the meat to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Once the beef is cooked, season it with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together well, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
- Now, pour in the blended sauce from the blender. Stir to combine everything thoroughly. You want the beef to be well coated in that delicious sauce.
- Let the mixture cook on medium heat until it bubbles, then lower the heat. Allow it to simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Once it’s ready, remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the mixture to thicken and makes it easier to serve.
- Finally, serve the sloppy joes in buns. I love using soft hamburger buns that soak up the sauce!
Notes
- This recipe works: with ground beef, ground turkey, and even chicken cut into bite-size pieces.
- Customize it: I recommend adding ½ cup of chopped red or green bell pepper and sautéing with garlic and onion for extra flavor.