Homemade Sloppy Joes from scratch, made with ground beef and pork breakfast sausage — like mom made growing up but even better. Easy weeknight comfort food!
Do people still make sloppy joes like my mom did? Back when Manwich came out she sometimes used it, but over the years my mom passed along several homemade sloppy joe approaches. I recently found one of her handwritten recipes in my messy drawer and decided to try it. This version — with a mix of ground beef and breakfast-style pork sausage — impressed everyone at the table and has become a favorite for quick, nostalgic weeknight dinners.
Ingredients Overview
This recipe includes many familiar Sloppy Joe flavors: catsup (ketchup), yellow mustard, tomato sauce, onion, green pepper, garlic, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. What sets it apart is the addition of breakfast-style ground pork sausage combined with lean ground beef — a small twist that brings a deeper, savory flavor.
The original recipe included a slow cooker method, but I follow my mom’s stovetop instructions. For buns, she swears by sesame seed hamburger buns; I prefer lightly buttered and toasted brioche buns for a richer bite. Serve with potato chips for a classic pairing.
Everyone loved this version — I had to stop my partner from eating too much so there would be leftovers! It’s an easy comfort meal to enjoy while watching the game or when you want a simple, satisfying dinner. — Kelly
Sloppy Joe Macaroni Casserole
If you want to stretch the mixture into another meal, the sloppy joe mix makes a great casserole. Reserve 1½ cups of the finished mixture for sandwiches, then add 12 ounces cooked elbow macaroni to the remaining pot of sloppy joe mixture. Transfer to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish, top with 2 cups shredded cheddar and bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, lightly browned and the casserole is bubbly.
Recipe: Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds lean ground beef (ground sirloin works well)
- 1 (16-ounce) package ground pork sausage, breakfast-style
- 1 small onion, chopped
- ½ green pepper, chopped
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup catsup (ketchup)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, crumble the ground beef and sausage. Add the chopped onion and green pepper. Over medium-high heat, brown the mixture well, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Drain the excess grease and return the meat mixture to the pot.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, water, catsup, brown sugar, cider vinegar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve the sloppy joe mixture on sesame seed buns or toasted brioche buns. Add potato chips on the side for a classic touch.
Notes
For the Sloppy Joe Macaroni Casserole: reserve 1½ cups of the sloppy joe mixture for sandwiches if desired. Stir 12 ounces of cooked elbow macaroni into the remaining mixture, place in a 9″ x 13″ baking dish, top with 2 cups shredded cheddar and bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.
Recipe Details
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 173 kcal (per serving, approximate)
Please rate and comment if you try it. Tag your photos so others can find your version and enjoy sharing this classic comfort-food favorite.
