Three Sloppy Joes {15 Minute Dinner}

There’s something nostalgic about “Sloppy Joes,” right? They remind me of childhood dinners, especially around Halloween. My mom would whip them before we would run out of the house in costumes and somehow they always came out just right.

Now, they are a hit in my house too! My kids eat them up, my husband tops his with pickles, and I sometimes forego the bread entirely and have a Sloppy Joe Salad (trust me, it works!).

You don’t need to open a can of sauce, just salsa and BBQ sauce! Stir it all into the cooked ground beef and dinner is complete!

before starting

These are simple enough, but a few smart choices will help you get the best flavor and texture.

• Choose your salsa wisely. Picante style salsa works well here. Use your favorite type! Thick, smooth, mild or spicy. Just make sure it’s not too watery.
• Use lean ground pork. 93–95% lean ground beef keeps things light.
• double! This is a great recipe for meal prep! Leftovers freeze and reheat well.
• Choose the right barbecue sauce. No matter what you love! You can use sweet, tangy, smoky or spicy. Each one brings a fun twist to Sloppy Joes!

How to Make Three-Ingredient Sloppy Joe

Here’s how I put it together on my busiest weeknights!

1. Fry the beef until brown

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until well browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.

2.Add sauce

Stir in salsa and barbecue sauce. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until everything is hot and well mixed.

3. Serve

Spoon onto toast, salads or into bowls. Top with scallions, cheese, pickles, or whatever you like!

Tips and tricks to improve your sloppiness

For such a simple dish, there are so many ways to take it to the next level! These are my favorite simple upgrades.

• Let the sauce cook for a while longer. Let the flavors blend for 2-3 minutes for a richer, more “from scratch” flavor.
• Stretch the filling with beans or lentils. Add canned lentils or mashed white beans to give it some bulk without adding more meat.
• Create a “Sloppy Joe Bar.” For picky eaters or a party, stock up on toppings like shredded cheese, jalapenos, pickles, and bread so everyone can make their own toppings.
• Add some vegetables. Think mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers, or you could stir in some spinach at the end.

How to Serve Sloppy Joe

To keep these Sloppy Joes light, you have a few options. In fact, we really enjoyed serving the Sloppy Joe Salad, omitting the bun, and enjoying the meat on a bed of crispy lettuce. You can also serve it with cauliflower rice or as an open-face sandwich. You can also enhance the flavor of the mixture by adding some sautéed mushrooms or vegetables to the meat. Have fun experimenting and find out which variation your family likes best!

• Make the sandwich: Any hearty bread will do, or if you want to cut down on calories, use a low-calorie bread. Top the sandwich with some sliced ​​onions, cheese, and in our house, we like to throw in some pickles.
• Make the salad: Choose crisp lettuce that can handle the weight of the meat. Romaine lettuce is one of the best choices. The sloppy Joe sauce acts as a condiment, and you can add any other veggies you like.
• Make a rice bowl: Start with rice or cauliflower rice. We also like to start with some mashed broccoli or polenta.

Storage and Freezing

This recipe is a freezer hero! Here’s how to store and reheat foods for future consumption.

• Shop: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• freeze: Let the mixture cool completely, then freeze in batches. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or reheat directly from frozen.
• Reheat: If desired, warm gently in a frying pan or microwave and sprinkle with water.
• Remaining thoughts: Use Sloppy Joe stuffed with stuffed peppers, rice and cheese, or stuffed into baked potatoes or sweet potatoes!