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Get ready to enjoy a tasty combination of two favorite comfort foods: Pizza Sloppy Joes! This mouthwatering dish combines the flavors of a classic pizza with the messy deliciousness of sloppy joes, resulting in a savory and satisfying meal that is sure to please pizza and sandwich lovers alike.
Why We Love Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joe Recipe!
- Quick & Easy Recipe: A few ingredients, a skillet, and 30 minutes are you for a delicious dinner or lunch!
- Pizza sloppy joes combine the best of two comfort foods, offering a delicious fusion of pizza flavors with the messy goodness of sloppy joes.
- Versatile: The flavors are versatile and customizable, catering to all taste buds – whether you prefer it as is, loaded with veggies, or want to spice it up, you can make it your own.
I don’t know about your family, but anything pizza themed and my bunch are all in! These sloppy joes combine the flavors of a classic pizza with the messiness of the sloppy joe sandwich, creating a winning combination that will satisfy even the pickiest of taste buds.
Whether you’re having a laid-back game night or simply need a quick and tasty dinner, pizza sloppy joes offer a mouthwatering feast that will leave everyone satisfied and happy.
So, gather ’round, dig in, and enjoy the scrumptious combination of pizza and sloppy joes in every messy and oh-so-yummy bite!
Ingredient Notes
How To Make Pizza Sloppy Joes
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Cook Vegetables and Ground Beef
To make these mouthwatering pizza sloppy joes, start by heating oil in a large nonstick skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the onions and bell peppers, giving them a good stir as they cook for about 3-5 minutes until they become nice and soft.
Next, add the ground beef to the skillet and let it cook for 5-7 minutes until it’s no longer pink. As it cooks, break up the beef into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon or meat masher. Drain excess grease as needed.
Step 2 | Make Pizza Sloppy Joe Mixture
Now it’s time to add the star ingredients – pizza sauce, pepperoni, and garlic powder. Give everything a good stir and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes until it thickens up to your liking.
Step 3 | Toast Buns and Assemble Sandwiches
While the sauce is simmering away, pop your burger buns onto a baking sheet and toast them under the broiler until they’re nice and crispy.
Now comes the fun part – spoon the meaty sauce onto the bottom buns and sprinkle on some delicious mozzarella cheese. Place the buns back under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese becomes all gooey and melty.
Finally, crown your sandwiches with the top buns, and voila! Your pizza sloppy joes are ready to be devoured. Get ready for a flavor explosion!
Tips
- Toast the burger buns: Toasting the burger buns adds a nice crunch and prevents them from getting soggy. Toast under the broiler until they turn golden brown, or lightly butter the buns and toast them in a skillet.
- Choose a flavorful pizza sauce: Opt for a high-quality pizza sauce or make your own using a combination of tomato sauce, garlic, and Italian herbs. The sauce is a key element in bringing the pizza flavors to your sloppy joes.
- Watching sodium? Salt and Pepper to taste after you make the sauce: The meat sauce can be on the salty side, depending on the brand of pizza sauce and pepperoni you use. If you are sensitive to sodium, I recommend using homemade pizza sauce and reduced-sodium pepperoni. You can also add ¼-½ cups of water to the sauce. If adding additional liquids, you may need to add a few minutes to the simmer time for the sauce to reduce.
- You can substitute the jar of pizza sauce for two cups of homemade pizza sauce.
Variations and Substitutions
Sloppy Joe Pizza Combination, Topping, and Garnish Ideas
Feel free to get creative with your favorite pizza toppings and garnishes. These additions can add extra flavor to your pizza sloppy joes:
- Margherita Style: Incorporate fresh basil leaves, sliced tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze into your pizza sloppy joe mixture. These classic Margherita pizza toppings add a burst of freshness and tanginess to the dish.
- Hawaiian Twist: Add diced pineapple and ham to your pizza sloppy joe mixture for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor. The sweetness of the pineapple complements the savory meat and sauce, creating a delightful combination.
- BBQ Bacon Deluxe: Mix in crispy bacon bits and drizzle your pizza sloppy joes with barbecue sauce for a smoky and indulgent twist. The combination of the savory bacon and tangy BBQ sauce takes the flavors to a whole new level.
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Remember to adjust cooking times and techniques as needed when making substitutions. Have fun experimenting and customizing your pizza sloppy joes to suit your taste preferences!
Recipe FAQs
Certainly! You can use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or even a combination of meats to make your pizza sloppy joes. Just keep in mind that different meats may have varying cooking times and flavors, so adjust accordingly.
Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with plant-based alternatives like textured vegetable protein (TVP), soy crumbles, lentils, or even finely chopped mushrooms. Cook the vegetarian protein source according to the package instructions and season it with spices and herbs for flavor. Use vegan cheese substitutes and opt for plant-based burger buns to make it vegan-friendly.
Storage Instructions
Storage: Leftover meat sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or beef broth or in the microwave.
Freeze: The cooked sauce can be frozen for up to three months. Allow the sauce to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Allow the sauce to defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with Italian Sloppy Joes
To complete your meal featuring pizza sloppy joes, consider pairing them with some delicious sides. Classic options like crispy French fries or golden onion rings make for tasty accompaniments, providing a satisfying crunch alongside the saucy sandwiches.
Alternatively, a side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty dressing can add a refreshing touch to balance the richness of the sloppy joes.
For a quick and easy option, opt for a pickle spear and potato chips along with dill pickle dip or a side of coleslaw to add a tangy and crunchy element to your plate. Whichever side dish you choose, it will perfectly complement the flavors of the pizza sloppy joes and enhance your dining experience.
This would be amazing baked over our easy no-rise pizza crust.
If you love the flavor of a pizza, try our stuff, Stuffed Pizza Chicken Bake or Pizza Pasta Casserole.
Other Sandwich Recipes
- Baked Reuben Sandwich Sliders
- Cuban Sandwiches
- Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Po Boy Roast Beef Debris Sandwiches
- Turkey Cranberry Sliders
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Pizza Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- ½ green onion, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 jar pizza sauce, (14 ounces)
- 3 ounces pepperoni, quartered (about ½ cup)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 6 burger buns, toasted
- salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and bell pepper, cooking and stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until the veggies soften.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until it is no longer pink. Break up the ground beef into small pieces using a wooden spoon or meat masher as it cooks (drain off grease if needed).
- Stir in the pizza sauce, pepperoni, and garlic powder, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Taste and add salt & pepper to taste -see notes).
- While the sauce simmers, place the burger buns on a baking sheet and toast them under the broiler.
- Spoon the meat sauce onto the bottom buns, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Return the buns to the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts (keep an eye on them so they don't burn). Finally, place the top buns on the sandwiches and enjoy!
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Notes
- Toast the burger buns: Toasting the burger buns adds a nice crunch and prevents them from getting soggy. Toast under the broiler until they turn golden brown, or lightly butter the buns and toast them in a skillet.
- Choose a flavorful pizza sauce: Opt for a high-quality pizza sauce or make your own using a combination of tomato sauce, garlic, and Italian herbs. The sauce is a key element in bringing the pizza flavors to your sloppy joes.
- Watching sodium? Salt and Pepper to taste after you make the sauce: The meat sauce can be on the salty side, depending on the brand of pizza sauce and pepperoni you use. If you are sensitive to sodium, I recommend using homemade pizza sauce and reduced-sodium pepperoni. You can also add ¼-½ cups of water to the sauce. If adding additional liquids, you may need to add a few minutes to the simmer time for the sauce to reduce.
- You can substitute the jar of pizza sauce for two cups of homemade pizza sauce.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Such a great twist on sloppy joes. My kids would love this.
Thank you, Dannii!
Comfort food at its best! Both my husband and I enjoyed them very much for dinner last night! Very filling, easy to make and really satisfy the cravings for both sloppy joes and a pizza!
Thank you, Leva! I am so glad you both enjoyed them!
This was such a fun twist on a regular sloppy joe and my kids gobbled it up!!
Thank you, Anjali! Kid pleasing for sure!
My son absolutely loved these. Sloppy joes with pizza is such a smashing combination.
This is a total cheesy meat feast. Looks so delicious and tempting. Perfect for any meal type.
We made these for dinner tonight and they were excellent! So full of flavor. I love how easy they are to make. This will definitely be added to our dinner rotation.
Thank you, Mandy! My family love when I make them too!