Italian Sloppy Joes are a quick meal idea that the whole family will love. Add them to your meal plan now!
Italian Sloppy Joes are a simple meal that is super fun to eat and full of hidden healthy veggies. Perfect for kids and parents! We like to serve this with a quick spinach salad and some fresh French bread. Finish the meal off with our easy Nutella cookies!
Italian Sloppy Joes
Italian Sloppy Joes
Click the button above to save this recipe!
Italian Sloppy Joes, Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Spaghetti sauce, 24 ounces
- Garlic
- Vegetables
- Zucchini
- Summer Squash
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Italian bread
- Optional: mozzarella cheese slices
How do you make Italian Sloppy Joes
⭐ First, in a deep skillet, brown and drain ground beef.
⭐ Next, return beef to skillet and add diced vegetables, and minced garlic. Pour in spaghetti sauce and mix well.
⭐ Then, bring to a light simmer. Continue to simmer on low uncovered for about two hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and clinging to the meat and vegetables rather than pooling in the bottom of the pan when you stir.
⭐ Finally, serve on Italian bread with mozzarella cheese, or just slop it into a bowl (seriously, so good).
I never had Sloppy Joes as a kid (I know, right? It’s like I wasn’t even raised in the 80’s).
So, when I went off to college and one day decided I wanted some Sloppy Joe action, I grabbed a can of spaghetti sauce and some ground beef. And it was delicious.
And I went on my merry way thinking that’s how you made Sloppy Joes. Until fifteen *ahem* years later, my sweet mother-in-law (no, I mean that, she really is sweet) broke the news that I’d been doing it all wrong.
Wait, what?! All this time… all those Joes.Not to worry, I just renamed them Italian Sloppy Joes. Which is fitting, I guess, since I’m 50% Italian.
So, all’s well ends well because it turns out I don’t really like the regular kind anyway. Happy accidents abound.
This recipe is supremely easy to make, but does take time. It’s one of our go-to Sunday afternoon meals. My kids absolutely love it.
Turn on some sports and relax while the food simmers on the stove top for a couple hours filling the house with all the yummy smells, and allowing the flavors to blend and meld while the sauce thickens.
Yes, mmmm. It’s a good thing I’m typing rather than talking, because it’s rude to talk with your mouth full.
P.S. If your kids will squawk at the sight of vegetables, you can totally puree them!
For this recipe I used a jar of Francesco Rinaldi’s Tomato Garlic and Onion Spaghetti Sauce that I found at Walmart. I was only recently introduced to the Francesco Rinaldi line, but have to say that I am impressed.
Aside from the great flavor (which, let’s be honest, I wouldn’t be telling you about it if it didn’t taste good), it’s gluten free, has no preservatives, and carries an extensive product line for a really great value.
Tools for making Italian Sloppy Joes
- Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
- Calphalon everyday pan – This is a 12″ two handled pan that you will use pretty much every day. Which, of course is why it’s called an everyday pan. I have this one and the Le Creuset version. I use a whole lot of pots and pans in my line of work (apologies to my husband, the dishwasher!) and these are by far my most frequently used pans.
- End grain cutting board – This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on. And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards. It really is absolutely stunning, and knows how to take a beating. We use it every single day!
More like Italian Sloppy Joes
- Gazpacho
- Maid Rite Sandwiches
- Lazy Lasagna
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Sloppy Joe Casserole
What to Serve with Italian Sloppy Joes
Get our FREE Easy Casseroles Ebook!
Follow us below!Use #mamalovesfood on Instagram!
How to make Italian Sloppy Joes
Italian Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce 24 ounces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Vegetables small diced* (I used those listed below, but you can use whatever suits your fancy!)
- Zucchini
- Summer Squash
- Eggplant
- Mushrooms
- Italian bread
- Optional: mozzarella cheese slices
Instructions
- In a deep skillet, brown and drain ground beef.
- Return beef to skillet and add diced vegetables, and minced garlic.
- Pour in spaghetti sauce and mix well.
- Bring to a light simmer.
- Continue to simmer on low uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and clinging to the meat and vegetables rather than pooling in the bottom of the pan when you stir.
- Serve on Italian bread with mozzarella cheese, or just slop it into a bowl (seriously, so good).
Notes
Nutrition
Need another easy dinner idea? Try our ground beef tater tot bake next!
Italian Sloppy Joes
Click the button above to save this recipe!
06.09.15
Krystal Butherus says
I bet my toddler would love this! And, mama would be happy that he was getting an extra boost of veggies. Love how you used the sauce in a unique way!
April says
thanks! it's a big hit in our house 🙂
Sueharts says
God's blessing to you for sharing !
Lucia says
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for a new sloppy joe recipe!
Tayler Ross says
I’ve never had sloppy joes like these! They look absolutely incredible!
Nellie Tracy says
LOVE the addition of the veggies to the meat for this sloppy joe recipe! So delicious
Kaylen Bauer says
I’m a little confused… The total time says 30 minutes, but at the bottom of the recipe it says to simmer for 2 hours? Van you clarify for me please? I really want to try this!
April Woods says
I’m a little confused too – I’m not sure where the 2 hours came from as this recipe definitely doesn’t take two hours to make. Just fixed, sorry about that! 🙂