You just can’t beat good ‘ol classic sloppy joes for dinner on busy weeknights—This slow-cooked sauce is packed FULL of cozy fall flavors you’ll love!
Lately, it seems like all I’m getting are requests for slow-cooker recipes, easy and fast weeknight dinners, warm and cozy casseroles, and soup upon soup upon SOUP.
It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one in a cray fall-food mood. 😉
These sloppy joes are covering just about all of those fall-food bases we just discussed—warm and cozy comfort food, easy and fast, and lastly slow-cooked.
Because I’m convinced that my crock-pot is magic. It just ALWAYS seems to make food taste better. Every time without fail.
In mine and my family’s eyes, these sloppy joes are, well perfect. The sauce is perfectly spiced, not too thin and not too thick, it’s chock-full of meat and tastes like you slaved over it all day.
Shhhh….it’ll be our little secret that the slow-cooker actually did all the work. 😉
Now I’m sure you all know by now that when I was a little kid I was THE pickiest person on the planet. You may have read here that I hated PB&Js, I loathed pancake Sunday, and (are you ready?) I despised sloppy joes.
I know. What planet was I born on anyway? My hate level for SJ’s was pretty high and my little kid-mind was convinced that that soft bun piled high with juicy meat and melty cheese was the devil.
Looking back at my former self, I kinda worry about how I might have turned out today if I hadn’t outgrown all that nonsense.
I never would have been sharing a sloppy joe recipe on my blog today, that’s for sure.
These sloppy joes are so simple they LITERALLY make themselves. All’s ‘ya have to do is throw your browned meat in the slow-cooker in the morning. Dump on some tomato sauce, seasonings, ect.
Cook ‘er low and slow for about 3 hours. Or until your house smells so amazing you can’t stand the anticipation any more.
Grab those buns and pile on the hot sloppy joe sauce….
Dump on the cheese….
Dive in with both hands.
Sloppy joes are called “sloppy” for a reason. Who needs forks?! You’ll just need a napkin or 20. Also, you should probably change outta that white shirt.
These sloppy joes are destined to become your most-requested weeknight meal, or tailgating special, or possibly even midnight snack.
‘Kay, just forget I said that last one. I do not bear experience from that.
Just eat all the sloppy joes for dinner tonight.
Chances are I’ll be right there alongside ‘ya stuffing moi face. 🙂
Slow-Cooked Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef browned
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2-1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 8 buns split
- Shredded mozzarella cheese for serving
Instructions
- Combine beef, onion, garlic, sauce, paprika, salt, pepper, sugar, and Worcestershire in a 3-qt slow-cooker. Cover and cook on low 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
- Serve sloppy joe sauce on buns with shredded cheese on top. Serve immediately.
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
These look amazing! Sloppy joes are totally a fall staple! Love this slow cooker version.
Sarah says
They totally are! It’s not fall without sloppy joes. 😉 Thanks Kelly!
Cheryl says
Um, how have I gone my entire life without putting cheese on sloppy joes?! Jeez man. What a great slow cooker recipe!
Sarah says
Whaa?! Fix that QUICK, girl! LOL. Thanks Cheryl!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I love sloppy joes! When I eat one, I am instantly transported back to childhood. Love this slow cooker version!
Sarah says
Thanks, Natalie! Sloppy joes are the BEST. 🙂
Louisa [Living Lou] says
I love sloppy joes! It’s been ages since I’ve had one and I’ve never made them in the slow cooker, I think I’ll have to give this a try. I just got a new slow cooker, so it will be the best inaugural recipe!
Sarah says
Yay! Congrats on your new slow-cooker, Louisa! I think that these sloppy joes would be a perfect way to break it in. 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Sloppy Joes in a slow cooker? Brilliant – love love love this idea! They look absolutely amazing girl! These would be gobbled up at my house in no time and so perfect for fall – pinning!
Sarah says
Thanks so much, Kelly! You’re the sweetest, girl. 🙂 Thanks for pinning too!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I would absolutely stuff my face with these any time and I am so not ashamed to admit it! These look beyond perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! Crrraaaaving! Pinned. Yum.
Sarah says
Hahaha you and me both, Lindsey! LOL. Thanks for the pin, friend! 🙂
Danielle says
I’ve tried my hand at homemade sloppy joes and it’s never been too great. I always resort back to Manwich #foodbloggerfail. But, the next time I make sloppy joes this recipe is going to be made!
I really think the slower cooker does make everything better too, low and slow is the only way to go! Pinning 🙂
Sarah says
Oh, I’ve totally been there. It took me a few tries to get this recipe right so I can sympathize with you! I can’t wait to hear what you think of these sloppy joes, Danielle! Thanks for the pin. 🙂
Tash says
Can you believe I’ve NEVER had a sloppy joe?! They just aren’t a thing over here in England…I’ve been craving one ever since I first watched “It takes two” (I was about 6?!) though!
This looks so good!
Sarah says
What?! You must try sloppy joes ASAP then! And not share with ANYBODY. 😀 LOL. Thanks Tash!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
Sarah these look fantastic. My family LOVES sloppy joes. Although we like to put potato chips on ours 🙂 Weird?
Sarah says
Omg potato chips on top of sloppy joes sounds like the best thing ever! I must try that next time. 🙂 Thanks, Aimee!
Isadora says
I don’t think I’ve ever made sloppy joes before and I don’t own a slow cooker! Two things that I need to change asap!! I think I always hated the idea of sloppy joes because they reminded me of school lunch, but now I don’t see why I ever hated them because these look amazing and I love all the flavors in them! I could definitely go for one of these as a midnight snack 🙂
Sarah says
You don’t own a slow-cooker?! Girl, you MUST fix that sitch and FAST. It will change your life forever. Promise. 😉
[email protected] says
We need to have these for dinner!! I’ve been obsessed with my slow cooker lately and I always love a sloppy joe.
Sarah says
Isn’t the crock-pot the BEST?! Totally makes your day easier and stress-free. 😉
Emily says
Do you cook the hamburger meat before you put it in the crock pot? Can you put it in raw?
Sarah says
As it says in the recipe, the beef must be browned before putting in the crock-pot.
Debi @ That Crafty Lunch Lady says
I’m pinning this AND trying it out today! I’m going to use some ground venison and see how it turns out. Love this simple recipe!!
Sarah says
Love your idea of using ground venison! Must try that next time. 🙂 Let me know how these sloppy joes turn out!
LaVerta Morris says
My granny used to shred a couple of carrots in her sloppy joes. Thy took some of the acid from the tomato sauce, added some natural sweetness, and stretched the dish like they had to do during the Depression. She also put about half Barbeque sauce and half tomato sauce in hers. YUMMY comfort food!
Sarah says
I love the sound of your grandmother’s twists on sloppy joes! I need to try that!
Theresa Wright says
I am glad I found a sloppy joe recipe without ketchup in it. Just not a fan of it. I may adjust the amount of sugar I don’t like them to sweet.
bob ayers says
Add some whole grain dijon mustard for an extra boost!
Jeromie says
Rainy morning and was thinking on a pot roast or something of that nature. However, its been years since I have had a sloppy joe and never cooked in a slow cooker. I caught myself going back to your sloppy joe recipe over and over again. You changed my mind. Haha. Putting on shoes and goung shopping. Although its not traditional, im thinking on a couple mushrooms mixed in. Thank you.