Homemade sloppy Joes just got even better beuase they're cheesy! The perfect combination of sweet, tangy, optional spiciness, and so juicy! Whether you want to prep them before work for an easy weeknight dinner that's waiting, serve them at a summer holiday party, or for tailgating or a game day event, they're a classic family FAVORITE recipe and so EASY! Stovetop directions also provided.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time4 hourshrs
Total Time4 hourshrs10 minutesmins
Course: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Beef
Keyword: cheese on sloppy joes, cheesy sloppy joes, homemade sloppy joes recipe, recipe for sloppy joes, sloppy joe recipe slow cooker, sloppy joes in the Crockpot, sloppy joes with cheese, slow cooker sloppy joes
Servings: 16
Calories: 307kcal
Author: Averie Sunshine
Ingredients
1 ½poundslean ground beef85 to 93% lean recommended*
1poundpork sausage*
½cuponionchopped
3 to 5clovesgarlicfinely minced
1small green bell pepperseeded and diced small (red bell pepper may be substituted)
15ouncescanned tomato sauce
½cupketchup
½cupbarbecue sauce
¼cuplight brown sugarpacked
2tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
2tablespoonsyellow mustardDijon may be substituted
1tablespoonWorcestershire sauce
½teaspoonsaltor to taste
½teaspoonpepperor to taste
2tablespoonscanned pickled jalapeño peppersoptional for spiciness
1 ½cupsshredded cheddar cheesedivided or as desired*
Hamburger bunsTexas toast, hotdog buns, etc., for serving
Instructions
To a large skillet, add the ground beef, sausage if using, and saute over medium-high heat until the proteins are no longer pink and are cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Crumble and stir while sautéing to ensure even cooking. If desired or if there is a lot, you can drain off any grease.
Add the onions, peppers, and saute for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened; stir frequently.
Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir constantly.
Stovetop - At this point if you want to continue making this on the stove, keep going by adding the remaining ingredients, except the cheese, simmer for 10 minutes, and then stir in to melt it.
OR to make in a Slow Cooker transfer the meat and vegetable mixture to a large 7 to 8-quart slow cooker (spray the bottom with cooking spray for easier cleanup), add the tomato sauce, ketchup, your favorite barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, optional jalapeños, stir to combine, cover with the lid, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours.
You can either stir in about 1 cup of cheese right into the meat mixture until it melts, plus top each sandwich with a bit more cheese if desired. OR you can skip stirring the cheese in and only sprinkle it on top. Your choice - first way is much cheesier than the second.
Serve on top of your favorite carb such as a hamburger bun, hot dog bun, Hawaiian roll, Kaiser roll, Texas toast, or go low-card and serve like a lettuce wrap in butter lettuce or Romaine lettuce leaves.
The recipe will make about 16 smaller sandwiches or 8 larger ones. Extra sloppy Joes meat will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Reheat gently on the stove, microwave, or in the slow cooker before serving.
Notes
*Feel free to select from whatever singular protein or combination thereof that you desire including the following:
Tip: I do not recommend using exclusively ground turkey or ground chicken because they are very lean. However, if you are determined to go this route, when you’re browning the protein, you’ll need to add 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil or they’ll dry out.**I always recommend grating your own cheese from a block rather than buy shredded cheese in a bag because bagged cheese is more resistant to smooth and even melting.