7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (2024)

If there is one dish that defines my idea of cooking, it would probably be sloppy joes. It doesn’t get much easier than mixing up ground beef with a bunch of ingredients and slapping a spoonful onto a sandwich bun. But if that sounds boring to you, things are about to get interesting. Because there are several clever ways to make sloppy joes that are anything but ordinary, and I’m sharing them here. These recipes take sloppy joes to a new level of yummy. These concoctions are loaded with flavorful ingredients that will excite your taste buds and your children’s appetites!

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (1)source: Yellow Bliss Road

1. Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza

We eat pizza so much in my house, I’m half surprised that none of us have turned into a slice of pizza. On busy nights when there isn’t time to cook, my husband and I tend to default to the frozen pizzas in our freezer. But I would much rather serve my kids something like this pizza. It’s not necessarily healthier, but it’s way more interesting and probably tastes great! With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can whip this up in about 20 minutes.

Get the full recipe and cooking instructions from Yellow Bliss Road.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (2)source: Simply Quinoa

2. Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes

Before I met my Hungarian husband, I don’t think I even knew what lentils were. But now, we eat them on occasion when he makes dinner (he’s a great cook!). What’s great about lentils is that they are good for you, and they don’t taste too bold, so even kids like them! And this recipe uses a slow cooker, so I’m definitely willing to try it! I bet with ingredients like paprika, cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard and chili powder, this sloppy joe version probably has a kick to it.

Learn how to make this and other healthy recipes at Simply Quinoa.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (3)source: The Cooking Jar

3. Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

If you’ve got a night where you can spend a bit of time on dinner, I have a feeling the whole family would love this sloppy joe version of a casserole! I mean, tater tots? Who doesn’t like tater tots? And with cream cheese and corn, you know it’s gotta have a creamy texture that melts with the crispy tots to create a culinary masterpiece. This is definitely not your typical sloppy joe, and I’m betting once you make this, your kids will beg you to make it again.

Head over to The Cooking Jar for the full ingredients list and cooking instructions.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (4)source: Cooking Light

4. Turkey & Swiss Sloppy Joes

This sloppy joe recipe is so unique, it doesn’t even use beef! But we’re still calling it a sloppy joe, because, well, it’s sloppy and delicious! And with the main ingredient being turkey, this is a healthier way to enjoy a sloppy joe sandwich. With Swiss cheese, kale, and a few seasonings, it’s a gamble whether or not kids will give this a taste. Anything green pretty much gets vetoed in my house, but perhaps the melted Swiss cheese will be enough to convince my kids to try it.

Stop by Cooking Light to learn how to make this.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (5)source: The Simple Parent

5. Sloppy Joe Macaroni & Cheese

Not only is this a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe, it’s also a delicious twist on classic macaroni & cheese! My kids ask for macaroni & cheese often, and sometimes I’ll add cut up hot dogs. But this version looks way heartier, and I bet the combination of flavors is delicious! This does require several steps prior to baking in the oven, but can be completed in less than an hour. So one night when your hubby has to work late, make this for the kids and hope they save some for you!

The Simple Parent has the recipe.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (6)source: Dessert Now, Dinner Later

6. Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

I personally don’t like Philly cheese steak anything, but my husband loves it! And my little guy doesn’t seem to mind either, so I’m thinking maybe I should make this Philly cheese steak sloppy joe one night and see what they think. If you’re a Philly cheese steak fan, you’ll love the mozzarella and provolone, melted over the green pepper and peppercorn steak seasoning. You know, this is starting to sound pretty good!

Check out all the details and full recipe at Dessert Now, Dinner Later.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (7)source: 5 Boys Baker

7. Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

And here we have another twist on a classic sandwich. Crispy, cheesy and meaty, this will cover at least one serving of protein, grains and dairy! It’s not exactly healthy, but hey, variety is the spice of life, right? Sometimes you just need a greasy, rich tasting sandwich made with toasted, buttered bread. Your arteries might not thank you, but I bet your kids will!

You’ll find the full recipe over at 5 Boys Baker.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (8)

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7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (9)

Leena Kollar

Contributing Writer at Life As Mama

I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (10)

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (12)

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7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (13)

Leena Kollar

I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.

7 Delicious Sloppy Joe Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to add to Sloppy Joes to make it better? ›

Try serving your sloppy joes with their own toppings such as slaw, melty cheese, grilled pineapple, or Hatch green chile. Even just adding a pickle gives extra flavor and crunch, transforming it from a bland sandwich into something great, like the recipe below!

How to jazz up Sloppy Joes? ›

Give your Sloppy Joe a unique spin by replacing hamburger buns with taco shells and adding a little cumin, crisp lettuce, shredded cheese, and juicy tomatoes.

What is the New Jersey version of sloppy joe? ›

There are minor variations depending on the deli, but it is always a double-decker thin sliced rye bread sandwich made with one or more types of sliced deli meat, such as turkey, ham, pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced beef tongue, along with Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing.

How do you upgrade your sloppy joes? ›

In addition to sweetness, the diced Gala apple also contributes some textural variety to the recipe.
  1. Spice Your Sloppy Joe Up With Chile Flakes Or Canned Chiles. ...
  2. Sneak Extra Veggies Into Your Sloppy Joes. ...
  3. Throw In Some Liquid Smoke. ...
  4. Deglaze Your Sloppy Joes With Beer. ...
  5. Add Salsa To The Mix.
Feb 28, 2024

How to doctor up canned sloppy joe mix? ›

15 Ways To Upgrade Canned Sloppy Joe Sauce
  1. Salsa brings a spicy twist. ...
  2. Try gochujang for Korean-inspired Sloppy Joes. ...
  3. Experiment with Worcestershire sauce. ...
  4. Red pepper flakes bring the heat. ...
  5. Miso provides the umami your Sloppy Joe sauce is missing. ...
  6. Liquid smoke enhances the meat's flavor.
Feb 19, 2024

What is the difference between Sloppy Joe and manwich? ›

What is the difference between Manwich and Sloppy Joes? Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

What's the difference between sloppy joes and Sloppy Jane? ›

Unlike traditional can Sloppy Joes, which are often loaded with unhealthy additives and preservatives, Sloppy Janes are made with lean meat, low-fat ingredients, and a variety of fresh vegetables. They are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients.

What goes well on sloppy joes? ›

Toppings, Sauces & Salsas
  • Caramelized Mushrooms. Caramelized mushrooms are so sweet and tender, and they add the perfect burst of flavor to a Sloppy Joe by complementing meaty flavors and adding in extra protein! ...
  • Roasted Corn Salsa. ...
  • Edamame Guacamole (High Protein) ...
  • Garlic Sauce.
Oct 27, 2023

What is a fancy name for a sloppy joe? ›

Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, tavern sandwich; a Sloppy Joe can be called by many other names. The most well-known however is Manwich.

What is a nickname for a sloppy joe? ›

Some other names for sloppy joes include: barbecues, dynamites, gulash, sloppy janes, slushburgers, steamers, wimpies, and yum yums. What do you call sloppy joes where you live? Just like the many names for sloppy joes, you'll also find all sorts of variations on the recipe.

What is the original Sloppy Joe? ›

Many believe the Sloppy Joe is the namesake of a Sioux City, Iowa cook, who in 1930, combined the regionally popular loose meat sandwich with tomato sauce. It's less messy predecessor, the loose meat sandwich is a Midwestern favorite of steamed or sauteed ground beef, onions, mustard and pickles.

What is a cold Sloppy Joe? ›

In this part of the country, where I grew up, a sloppy joe is something else entirely. It's a triple decker sandwich—cold deli meat and cheese on dense rye bread—glued together with coleslaw and Russian dressing.

What is a Sloppy Joe webster? ›

Sloppy Joe has also been used over the years to refer to what might be thought of as the antithesis of the metrosexual: "a man who is negligent of his clothes or personal appearance," as Merriam-Webster Unabridged puts it.

What do they call sloppy joes in South Dakota? ›

Taverns = Sloppy Joe

What other Americans call a Sloppy Joe, South Dakotans call a tavern (or loosemeat). It's like a Sloppy Joe but without the tomato!

What goes good on Sloppy Joes? ›

Toppings, Sauces & Salsas
  • Caramelized Mushrooms. Caramelized mushrooms are so sweet and tender, and they add the perfect burst of flavor to a Sloppy Joe by complementing meaty flavors and adding in extra protein! ...
  • Roasted Corn Salsa. ...
  • Edamame Guacamole (High Protein) ...
  • Garlic Sauce.
Oct 27, 2023

What's the difference between a Sloppy Joe and a sloppy Jane? ›

Let me introduce you to Sloppy Joe's leaner, healthier & sassier sister, Sloppy Jane. This recipe is quick and easy to make and it tastes fantastic! This Sloppy Jane recipe is low on fat and high on flavor with loads of veggies and lean ground turkey.

What's the difference between Sloppy Joe and Manwich? ›

Sloppy Joes are the sandwich, while Manwich is the store-bought canned sloppy joe sauce, produced by ConAgra Foods and Hunt's. What is this? While the brand markets this product as a quick and easy one-pan meal, I strongly recommend you make the sauce from scratch.

Is mayo good on a Sloppy Joe? ›

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard Worcestershire, tomato paste, salt and pepper Stir to combine. If mixture is too thick, add some water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Spread Mayo or Miracle Whip over toasted hamburger buns top with sloppy joe mix, sliced pickles and sliced cheese.

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