Pizza Sloppy Joes

A sloppy Joe with meat inside of it sitting on a piece of parchment paper.

Get a family favorite dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these deliciously cheesy Pizza Sloppy Joes! Ground beef is paired with all the pizza flavors you know and love like parmesan cheese, seasonings, pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword pizza sloppy joes, sloppy joe recipes, sloppy joes

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 424kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion finely diced
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1½ teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For Serving

hamburger buns
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (less or more to taste)

Instructions

In a large skillet pan, cook and crumble the ground beef, onion, and bell pepper over medium-high heat.
Once meat is no longer pink drain the excess grease from the pan.
1 pound lean ground beef, 1 small yellow onion, 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
Add in the pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Stir everything together to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce, 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1½ teaspoons garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium (or medium-low if needed) and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes.
While meat is simmering toast the hamburger buns for serving. Separate each hamburger bun into the two halves and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Spread softened butter on each half (or skip this step and put them directly in the oven on broil) and broil for 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
^{* I recommend at least toasting the buns even without butter because it allows the buns to firm up/crisp up which helps them hold up to the ground beef pizza mixture and not become soggy so fast.}
hamburger buns
Using a slotted spoon, place a scoop of meat onto each bottom half of hamburger bun. Top with some shredded mozzarella cheese.
Return the sandwiches to the broil for about 1 minute to melt the cheese (optional).
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Notes

Serving Size : 5 servings is a bigger portion of meat (like adult serving) so if you're feeding kids then you can easily get an additional serving from this recipe - 6 sloppy joes. But if you're feeding teen boys then maybe only like 4 big servings 😁 (my life currently).

Nutrition Information : Amount listed is for one sloppy Joe (with a serving of 5) with meat + a hamburger bun + 3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. Because all nutrition info is different depending on what bun you use, this may be different.

Simmer Time : It's so important to let the mixture simmer for at least 15 minutes. This will help the sauce thicken up and the flavors work magic together during the simmer time. So don't rush the simmer time or skip it. You will want to simmer it uncovered to allow the moisture to evaporate and thicken up the ground beef pizza mixture.

Toasted Buns : If you or your kids think you don't like sloppy joes then try toasting the buns. It makes a world of difference. Separate the hamburger buns and place each half onto a baking sheet (cookie sheet) that has been lined with parchment paper or tin foil. Spread softened butter on each half (or skip this step entirely and just broil them plain) and then broil for 3-5 minutes or until they're toasted to your preference.

Cheese : Feel free to use sliced cheese or shredded cheese. Other great options (besides mozzarella of course) is provolone, muenster cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or try a shredded blend of pizza cheese or Italian cheese.

Nutrition