Description
A deliciously smoky and savory take on the classic sloppy joe, featuring ground beef simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with smoked paprika and melted provolone cheese on toasted buns. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
To Serve
- 4 sandwich rolls or brioche buns
- 4 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Simmer the Mixture: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together well.
- Prepare the Buns: Toast sandwich rolls or brioche buns if desired to add crunch and warmth.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top each with a slice of provolone cheese and allow it to melt slightly before placing the top bun on.
- Serve: Serve the sandwiches warm with your choice of sides like fries, pickles, or coleslaw.
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, add a few dashes of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- Try using toasted garlic bread instead of buns for a bold twist on the classic sloppy joe.
