This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Simple Sloppy Joe’s is a great recipe made with simple ingredients found in your pantry for a quick dinner the whole family can enjoy, and made in less than 25 minutes!

Quick dinners are essential in my house. Some of my favorites that I will make on repeat are sheet pan sausage and veggies, fun pizza sliders (great for Fridays), and bean and rice enchiladas! I also have a ton of quick recipes that are super budget-friendly dinners and your family will love.

Simple Sloppy Joe sandwiches with cheese on hambuger buns on a long white plate on top of a white counter
  • 💙 Try my 9 Best Minimal-Step Ground Turkey Recipes → https://www.juliapacheco.com/new-and-delicious-ways-to-use-ground-turkey/

Keep dinner simple with these 5 recipes that are made in just 10 minutes and will fill you up! Save time and money with these fantastic meals.

Slow cooker baked potatoes and ramen noodle salad would go great with these homemade sloppy joes, but I am a sucker for my creamy coleslaw for fresh and tangy flavor!

Why you’ll love this recipe…

I love making dinner quickly with these simple sloppy joes, and with only 4 ingredients needed! You will love these because: 

  1. They come together in less than 25 minutes.
  2. All the ingredients can be found in your pantry.
  3. Super budget-friendly.
  4. Absolutely delicious!

Make more delicious dinners like this using ground beef. Ground beef and veggie skillet and beef and rice casserole are fantastic, and of course, beef tacos are perfect for your next Taco Tuesday night!

Made With Love,

Key Ingredients:

  • Ketchup: Using ketchup is a great way to add flavor and get the right consistency for saucy sloppy joes.
  • Brown sugar: Adding brown sugar to the lean meat mixture is a powerful way to add a little sweetness and savory and get a traditional sloppy joe flavor.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

How to Make Simple Sloppy Joe’s:

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook the meat until it is heated through.
  2. Remove any grease in the pan and turn the heat to low.
  3. Stir in the brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup let cook for 2-3 minutes. 
  4. Serve in hamburger buns.

My Pro Tip

Recipe Tip

Add diced onions when cooking the meat for added flavor.

Storage Instructions:

Fridge: Add any leftovers to an airtight container and then place the container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Freezer: Place the cooked meat into a freezer-safe container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between sloppy Joe’s and Manwich?

Sloppy Joes are a made-up sandwich on a hamburger bun, whereas Manwich is just a store-bought version of sloppy joe meat in a can.

What is the difference between Sloppy Joe’s and Sloppy Jane’s?

The only true difference is the meat used. Sloppy Joe’s uses ground beef, and in Sloppy Jane’s, you will use ground turkey for a healthier, leaner option, but still as tasty.

What ingredients are in Sloppy Joe’s?

The basis of a sloppy Joe recipe is ground beef and a tomato base, normally using ketchup or tomato soup. Then you can add seasoning and spices as you like.

More beef recipes:

If you liked this Sloppy Joe’s recipe, make sure to tag me on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let us know how much you liked the recipe!

Simple Sloppy Joe sandwiches with cheese on hambuger buns on a long white plate on top of a white counter
5 from 3 votes

Simple Sloppy Joe’s

Simple Sloppy Joe's is a great recipe to make with pantry ingredients and a delicious comfort food recipe.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • cup brown sugar
  • cup yellow mustard
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • 4-5 hamburger buns

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook the meat until it is heated through.
  • Remove any grease in the pan and turn the heat to low.
  • Stir in the brown sugar, mustard, and ketchup let cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Serve in hamburger buns.

Notes

  1. Use brown sugar for the best sweet and savory flavor.
  2. Add diced onion with the meat for more flavor.
  3. Sneak in some finely diced celery for a way to add a vegetable.

Nutrition

Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 784mg | Potassium: 506mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
easy family meal plans

About Julia Pacheco

Hello, I’m Julia Pacheco, and I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a published cookbook author with a passion for creating delicious, budget-friendly meals. My blog focuses on recipes that are accessible and enjoyable, because I truly believe in the power of food to heal, inspire, and bring people together. From early lessons in the kitchen with my mom to navigating life on WIC and food stamps, I’ve learned the value of making every meal count. Cooking has been my creative outlet, a way to connect with others, and it even helped me land my dream job.

You May Also Like

5 from 3 votes

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

6 Comments

  1. Carrie says:

    5 stars

    I love this recipe. So much better than the canned version. It’s also good mixed into pasta as well.

  2. cassolita says:

    5 stars

    We love this recipe
    This is so tasty and so easy to make
    This is always a staple in our home

  3. Mariah says:

    5 stars

    How much is a serving?

  4. Beverly says:

    These Sloppy Joe’s are so simple and fast to make! Everyone loves them and IF there are any leftovers it taste even better the next day. Thanks for the yummy recipe!

  5. Aimee says:

    I just made your sloppy joe’s and they were a huge hit with my family! They were so tasty and so quick and easy to make. Thanks so much for a great recipe. Can’t wait to try more.

  6. Katie says:

    Made this for dinner tonight. Added 1/2 a finely diced yellow onion in with the ground beef as well as some salt and pepper. It was really good and super quick and easy. Hubby and I both liked it. If your kids aren’t as picky as mine, they will probably like it too lol.