Description
These Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes combine the flavors of a classic pizza with the easy-to-make comfort of sloppy joes. Ground beef is cooked with onions, garlic, pizza sauce, and diced pepperoni, then topped with melted mozzarella and served on toasted hamburger buns for a kid-friendly, satisfying main course perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for toasting buns)
Optional Garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is fully browned and the onion becomes soft, approximately 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute to release its aroma and flavor.
- Combine sauce and seasonings: Add the pizza sauce, chopped pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Melt the cheese: Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese until it melts and is fully incorporated into the meat mixture.
- Toast the buns: While the filling simmers, heat a skillet over medium heat. Spread olive oil or butter on the hamburger buns and toast them until golden brown.
- Assemble and serve: Spoon the pepperoni pizza sloppy joe mixture generously onto the toasted buns. Garnish with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- For extra crunch, serve the sloppy joes open-faced and broil the sandwiches for 1–2 minutes with extra cheese on top.
- This dish pairs well with fries, a fresh salad, or steamed vegetables.
