If there is one dish that defines my idea of cooking, it would probably be sloppy joes. It doesn’t get much easier than mixing up ground beef with a bunch of ingredients and slapping a spoonful onto a sandwich bun. But if that sounds boring to you, things are about to get interesting. Because there are several clever ways to make sloppy joes that are anything but ordinary, and I’m sharing them here. These recipes take sloppy joes to a new level of yummy. These concoctions are loaded with flavorful ingredients that will excite your taste buds and your children’s appetites!
source: Yellow Bliss Road
1. Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza
We eat pizza so much in my house, I’m half surprised that none of us have turned into a slice of pizza. On busy nights when there isn’t time to cook, my husband and I tend to default to the frozen pizzas in our freezer. But I would much rather serve my kids something like this pizza. It’s not necessarily healthier, but it’s way more interesting and probably tastes great! With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can whip this up in about 20 minutes.
Get the full recipe and cooking instructions from Yellow Bliss Road.
source: Simply Quinoa
2. Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes
Before I met my Hungarian husband, I don’t think I even knew what lentils were. But now, we eat them on occasion when he makes dinner (he’s a great cook!). What’s great about lentils is that they are good for you, and they don’t taste too bold, so even kids like them! And this recipe uses a slow cooker, so I’m definitely willing to try it! I bet with ingredients like paprika, cayenne pepper, Dijon mustard and chili powder, this sloppy joe version probably has a kick to it.
Learn how to make this and other healthy recipes at Simply Quinoa.
source: The Cooking Jar
3. Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
If you’ve got a night where you can spend a bit of time on dinner, I have a feeling the whole family would love this sloppy joe version of a casserole! I mean, tater tots? Who doesn’t like tater tots? And with cream cheese and corn, you know it’s gotta have a creamy texture that melts with the crispy tots to create a culinary masterpiece. This is definitely not your typical sloppy joe, and I’m betting once you make this, your kids will beg you to make it again.
Head over to The Cooking Jar for the full ingredients list and cooking instructions.
source: Cooking Light
4. Turkey & Swiss Sloppy Joes
This sloppy joe recipe is so unique, it doesn’t even use beef! But we’re still calling it a sloppy joe, because, well, it’s sloppy and delicious! And with the main ingredient being turkey, this is a healthier way to enjoy a sloppy joe sandwich. With Swiss cheese, kale, and a few seasonings, it’s a gamble whether or not kids will give this a taste. Anything green pretty much gets vetoed in my house, but perhaps the melted Swiss cheese will be enough to convince my kids to try it.
Stop by Cooking Light to learn how to make this.
source: The Simple Parent
5. Sloppy Joe Macaroni & Cheese
Not only is this a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe, it’s also a delicious twist on classic macaroni & cheese! My kids ask for macaroni & cheese often, and sometimes I’ll add cut up hot dogs. But this version looks way heartier, and I bet the combination of flavors is delicious! This does require several steps prior to baking in the oven, but can be completed in less than an hour. So one night when your hubby has to work late, make this for the kids and hope they save some for you!
The Simple Parent has the recipe.
source: Dessert Now, Dinner Later
6. Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
I personally don’t like Philly cheese steak anything, but my husband loves it! And my little guy doesn’t seem to mind either, so I’m thinking maybe I should make this Philly cheese steak sloppy joe one night and see what they think. If you’re a Philly cheese steak fan, you’ll love the mozzarella and provolone, melted over the green pepper and peppercorn steak seasoning. You know, this is starting to sound pretty good!
Check out all the details and full recipe at Dessert Now, Dinner Later.
source: 5 Boys Baker
7. Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
And here we have another twist on a classic sandwich. Crispy, cheesy and meaty, this will cover at least one serving of protein, grains and dairy! It’s not exactly healthy, but hey, variety is the spice of life, right? Sometimes you just need a greasy, rich tasting sandwich made with toasted, buttered bread. Your arteries might not thank you, but I bet your kids will!
You’ll find the full recipe over at 5 Boys Baker.
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Leena Kollar
Contributing Writer at Life As Mama
I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.
dinnerdinner recipesrecipessloppy joe
Leena Kollar
I'm a wife, mother and everything else associated with domestic life. I can often be found hiding from my kids to sneak treats (especially ice cream). I love rainbows and naps, and I find any excuse to go to Target. When I actually make it out of the house in real clothes, I document my outfits on my fashion blog, Leather & Lip Gloss. My love for fashion also inspired me to start my own comprehensive style website, The Style Spectrum.
