This Manwich Sloppy Joe recipe turns a simple can of sauce into a comforting 35 minute dinner that is saucy, savory, and delish served on toasted garlic buns.
Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: The thick and hearty sauce is bold, tangy, and sweet with savory beef and tender peppers.
- Skill Level: This is a beginner friendly skillet meal. Simply brown the ground beef, then simmer the sauce for an easy, no fuss dinner.
- Tools: A large skillet, meat chopper, and baking tray keep prep and cooking both simple and efficient.
- Serving: Sloppy Joes can be enjoyed open faced with eating utensils, or closed like a sandwich. I love to serve with a side of baked corn ribs or my homemade creamy coleslaw recipe. It’s also delicious over garlic mashed potatoes instead of a hamburger bun.
Sloppy Joe Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Use ¾ to 1 pound, depending on how much meat you want in the filling. Drain off excess grease.
- Onion: Dice the onion small so it softens quickly and adds savory flavor to the sauce. Sometimes I like to dice up some garlic cloves and add them, too.
- Tomato: Fresh tomato adds texture and brightness. I like to use canned diced tomatoes when time is short for a tomato sauce flavor.
- Manwich Sauce: The main flavoring for the recipe is the sauce. Use the Original flavor or Thick & Chunky. Use Bold for a stronger sauce flavor.
- Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter, while green peppers add a sharper classic Sloppy Joe flavor.
- Hamburger Buns: Soft burger buns are classic. If time allows, I sometimes make my homemade burger buns for an extra delicious treat. Try using brioche or potato buns for a twist.
- Bun Topping: Toast buns, then brush with butter, or mayo. Sprinkle with garlic powder for flavor, and add parsley for a pop of color.
Variations
- Replace beef with turkey for a lighter tasting sandwich.
- Add cheddar, provolone, or American cheese on top of the filling.
- Spice it up with some diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper, or a dash of hot sauce.
- Bump up the nutritional value by adding some diced mushrooms, zucchini, or carrots.
- Swap in slider buns for an easy, crowd friendly, appetizer that is perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day spreads.
How to Make Manwich Sloppy Joes
- Cook the beef and onion until browned, breaking the meat into small pieces.
- Add the tomatoes, Manwich sauce, and peppers, then simmer (full recipe below.)
- Toast buttered buns with a sprinkle of garlic powder until lightly golden.
- Spoon the filling onto the buns and serve open faced or as sandwiches.
Storing the Leftovers
- Store extra Sloppy Joe filling separate from the buns. Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the cooled meat mixture in freezer safe containers or zippered bags for up to 3 months. Thaw sauce overnight in the refrigerator.
- To reheat, warm gently while stirring, on the stovetop. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick. Toast fresh buns just before serving.
- Leftovers taste even better reheated because the flavors have more time to develop. They taste great spooned over baked potatoes, rice, nachos, mac and cheese, hot dogs, or toasted garlic herb bread.
Easy Ground Beef Dinners
Did you try this Manwich Sloppy Joe recipe? Leave a comment and rating below.
Manwich Sloppy Joe
A quick skillet Manwich Sloppy Joe recipe made with ground beef, fresh vegetables, and toasted hamburger buns. It is hearty, budget-friendly, and ready in just 35 minutes.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ small onion diced
- 1 pound ground beef ¾-1 pound will work
- ½ cup tomato diced (fresh or canned)
- 10.5 ounces Manwich sauce 1 can
- 2 bell pepper diced*
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add onion and ground beef to large skillet or frying pan on medium high heat. Cook until meat is browned, breaking up with meat chopper (or wooden spoon), about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, sauce, and peppers. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to simmer (about medium low). Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes and peppers are cooked and sauce is thickened. If sauce becomes too thick, add ¼ cup water and cook to desired thickness.
- Meanwhile, butter open sides of buns and place on a baking tray. Sprinkle lightly with garlic powder and parsley if using. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Serve meat sauce over buns, open faced or like a burger.
Notes
- This recipe can be stretched to feed 6 smaller portions, you will need 6 buns.
- Add ½ teaspoon extra garlic powder and 1 more Tablesooon butter if needed.
- Use any combination of two yellow, orange, red, or green bell peppers.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 360 | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 414mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2194IU | Vitamin C: 80mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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This was surprisingly good. Even my toddler loved it and he is a very picky eater, and my husband who kind of despises vegetables said it was good and he would still ask me to fix it again like that. The only bad part was that I used regular sandwich bread, which is not what the recipe calls for and probably a known sloppy joe no-no.
Joy, what a win when both your husband and toddler enjoyed the recipe!
Absolutely delicious!
John, I am glad you enjoyed the sloppy joes.
Hi do you drain meat ??? Or leave it as part of the recipe I’m confused but want to try so bad. Please respond before dinner time. Thank you lol
If the meat has a lot of fat, I would drain it off but it will still taste great if you didn’t. I hope you enjoyed this recipe, Sean!
Mmm mmm good. Candace’s husband
Hello Paul. I am glad that you enjoyed this sloppy joes recipe!
Great tomato-y Sloppy joe recipe. Candace’s husband