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Classic School Cafeteria Sloppy Joes served on a bun with homemade sauce.

Lunch Lady Sloppy Joes

Enjoy a nostalgic taste of school lunches with these easy and customizable Sloppy Joes that capture the classic cafeteria flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb Ground beef or ground turkey Turkey can be used for a lighter option.
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped Chop small for better texture.
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper, chopped Chop small to blend in.
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced Optional, but adds flavor.
  • 1 cup Ketchup For the signature taste.
  • 1 cup Tomato sauce Mixes well with other sauces.
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar Adjust sweetness to taste.
  • 1 tbsp Yellow mustard Provides tanginess.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce Adds depth of flavor.
  • 1 tsp Salt To taste.
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper Freshly ground if possible.
  • 4 pieces Hamburger buns Soft buns for best texture.

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
  2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, and cook until they soften, about 5 minutes.
  3. Drain extra grease if necessary, then stir in ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
  4. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Spoon the mixture onto the hamburger buns and serve warm.

Notes

Toasting the buns makes them sturdier for the saucy filling. For a fun twist, try variations like BBQ style or adding extra veggies.