Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes
Combine the bold, zesty flavors of a pepperoni pizza with the messy, nostalgic comfort of a sloppy joe for a quick weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage with casings removed)
- 4 ounces pepperoni sliced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 green pepper diced (optional)
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 1/3 cup sliced olives drained (optional)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or oregano)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 buns gluten-free for gluten-free
Instructions
Brown the base in the skillet
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef, pepperoni, diced onion, and green pepper (optional). Cook while breaking the meat into small crumbles, and keep going until the beef is browned and the vegetables look softened.
- Carefully drain off the excess grease to keep the filling bold and not oily. The pan should still look glossy, but not swimming in fat.
Bloom the spices and thicken the sauce
- Stir in the chopped garlic and smoked paprika, then cook for about a minute. You will smell the garlic turn sweet and fragrant, and the paprika will deepen in color.
- Pour in the pizza sauce or marinara sauce, then add the olives (optional), Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring it to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat and simmer 3-5 minutes, until the sauce coats the meat and looks thick enough to mound on a bun.
Melt the cheese and build your sandwiches
- Turn the heat off, then fold in the shredded mozzarella. Stir gently until it melts into gooey ribbons and the mixture looks glossy and cohesive.
- Spoon the filling onto the buns and serve right away while the cheese is still stretchy. If you want extra crunch, reserve some pepperoni to crisp in the pan first and scatter on top.
Notes
Bun Integrity: Toast the buns until deeply golden to create a dry, crisp surface that slows the sauce from soaking in, keeping the sandwich sturdy.
Grease Management: Drain the beef and pepperoni grease thoroughly after browning to ensure the final filling tastes zesty and clear rather than oily.
Meat Ratio: Using a leaner ground beef helps the sauce thicken more quickly, which is ideal for a piled-high sloppy joe.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.