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Cozy Sloppy Joes Recipe Easy Homemade Stretchy Meat Delight

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A quick and easy sloppy joes recipe that stretches a pound of ground beef into a cozy, satisfying meal with a flavorful, thick sauce and soft buns. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional but recommended)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4–6 soft sandwich buns (brioche or potato rolls recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: finely chop the onion and green pepper, mince the garlic, and soak the breadcrumbs in milk in a small bowl. Let them absorb while you start cooking.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Push the meat to one side of the pan, add a little oil if dry, then add the onions and green peppers. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic last to avoid burning.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Mix everything well.
  5. Add the milk-soaked breadcrumbs to the pan, stirring gently to combine. This step stretches the meat and keeps it moist.
  6. Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and coat the meat. Add a splash of water or milk if it gets too thick.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust flavors with more sugar or vinegar if desired.
  8. Serve immediately by spooning the sloppy joe mixture onto toasted soft sandwich buns.

Notes

Soak breadcrumbs in milk before adding to the meat mixture to keep it moist and stretchy. Toast buns lightly before serving to prevent sogginess. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste often. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with rolled oats or gluten-free crackers. For vegetarian, use lentils or chopped mushrooms instead of beef.

Nutrition

Keywords: sloppy joes, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, comfort food, quick meal, family dinner, sandwich, homemade sloppy joes

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/cozy-sloppy-joes-recipe-easy-homemade-stretchy-meat-delight/