Easy and Budget-Friendly Sloppy Joe Recipe
Sloppy joes are a quick, affordable, and family-friendly meal made with simple pantry staples. This easy recipe delivers a rich, saucy, and flavorful filling that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 80/20 works best
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- ½ cup water
- 4-6 hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Pour in ½ cup of water and stir to incorporate.
- Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- While the sloppy joe mixture simmers, lightly toast the hamburger buns in a skillet or oven if desired.
- Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto buns and serve immediately.