Description
These Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes offer a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe by infusing Italian flavors like pizza sauce, mini pepperoni slices, and mozzarella cheese, creating a kid-friendly, easy-to-make, and hearty sandwich perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and chopped green bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula, about 6 to 8 minutes. Once browned, drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
- Add Flavorings and Pepperoni: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Add the mini pepperoni slices and mix thoroughly. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 4 minutes so that all the flavors meld together.
- Season and Prepare Buns: Season the mixture with salt and pepper to your taste. Meanwhile, optionally toast the hamburger buns in a toaster or skillet until lightly crispy and warm.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each toasted hamburger bun. Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture. Top with the other half of the bun.
- Serve Warm: Serve the sandwiches immediately while warm. For extra cheesy sandwiches, you may place them under a broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts and bubbles.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
- For extra cheesiness, place the assembled sandwiches under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level or omit for a milder flavor.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free buns instead of hamburger buns.
