Chili Cheese Sloppy Joes

A sloppy Joe on a white plate with chili cheese mixture and cheese.

Chili Cheese Sloppy Joes taste like your favorite bowl of chili but in an easy, delicious, comfort food sloppy joe sandwich. Top it with shredded cheese or any of your other favorite chili toppings.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 312kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small sweet onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed, paste, or jar)
1 pound ground beef (I use 93/7)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup chili sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans drained & rinsed
shredded cheddar cheese & buns for serving

Instructions

In a large skillet pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced sweet onion and sauté translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 small sweet onion
Add the garlic cloves and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
3 cloves garlic
Add the ground beef, cook and crumble the beef until it's no longer pink. Drain any excess fat/grease from the pan.
1 pound ground beef
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Stir in the tomato sauce, chili sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard until combined. Bring to a simmer (low boil) and then reduce the heat to low, and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes.
1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup chili sauce, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
Stir in the kidney beans and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, or until the beans are heated through.
^{*If you prefer softer beans, add the beans in along with the tomato sauce in the step above and let it simmer all together 15-20 minutes.}
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
Spoon the sloppy joe chili mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top the chili. Place the top halves of the bun on each on and serve immediately.
shredded cheddar cheese & buns

Notes

Nutrition Information : The information given is for 6 sloppy joes, so the sloppy Joe mixture divided into 6 portions. It does not include the buns as those vary depending on what you use. I can usually get 8 servings out of this recipe because my kids don't like theirs piled high with sloppy Joe mix.

Toasted Buns : I always toast the hamburger buns for sloppy joes. Separate each bun and place both halves onto a baking sheet. Spread soft butter on each half or spray with cooking spray. Broil for a few minutes in the oven until golden brown and toasted.

My family prefers the kidney beans softer, so I will usually add those in alongside the tomato sauce and chili sauce, and those other ingredients. That way, they simmer for the whole 15-20 minute cook time rather than just 5 minutes.

We love these with shredded cheddar cheese (you can use any cheese variety you want) but they can also be served alongside your other favorite chili toppings - diced onion, jalapeños, Fritos chips, sour cream, etc.

The simmer time is so important because it allows time for the flavors to meld and for the chili mixture to thicken. If you have more time then I always recommend simmering for longer, but for best results, simmer the chili mixture for at least 15 minutes as stated in the recipe below.

Nutrition