Classic Sloppy Joe Sandwiches (Printable Version)

Nostalgic, saucy ground beef sandwiches with a tangy-sweet tomato base — messy, delicious, and ready in 30 minutes.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Meat & Veg

01 - 500 g ground beef
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - ½ green bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce

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 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
12 - Optional: pinch of chili powder or smoked paprika

→ To Serve

13 - 4 hamburger buns, lightly toasted
14 - Optional: pickles, sliced cheddar cheese, or coleslaw

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and spices.
04 - Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
05 - Spoon the beef mixture onto toasted buns. Serve hot with desired toppings.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have
  • Perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors
  • Customizable with your favorite toppings
02 -
  • Each serving packs 28g of protein making it satisfying and filling
  • The entire meal comes together in one skillet for minimal cleanup
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop
  • Can be frozen for up to 3 months in airtight containers
03 -
  • Let the mixture simmer uncovered to achieve the perfect thick texture. Covering the pan traps moisture and makes the filling too runny
  • Toast your buns with a light spread of butter for extra flavor and to create a barrier that helps prevent the bread from getting soggy too quickly
  • For maximum flavor development, add the Worcestershire sauce toward the end of cooking rather than with the initial liquid ingredients
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