One-Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta

February 25, 2023

Where American comfort food meets Italian cuisine. All the flavor of sloppy Joe’s without the mess!

Hi cousins! You know me, I LOVE a one-pot, one-skillet, or one-pan meal. If you’ve been following me for a while, I also love flavor! This dish gives you the sloppy Joe taste you crave, with less prep and no mess.

What is Sloppy Joe Pasta?

Sloppy Joe Pasta is a delicious and easy meal that combines two classic dishes—pasta and Sloppy Joes. It starts with the traditional Sloppy Joe filling made with ground beef, tomato sauce, onion, red pepper, garlic, and spices. This mixture is then combined with cooked egg noodles to create a delicious and hearty meal. The result is an incredibly flavorful dish that the whole family can enjoy.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a hearty dish for a special occasion, this Sloppy Joe variation is sure to please everyone.

History of Sloppy Joes

The Sloppy Joe is an American classic that has been delighting palates for decades. It’s a simple dish of ground beef, tomato sauce, and spices that is served on a hamburger bun. The origin of the Sloppy Joe is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated in the early 1900s. There are a few competing stories of its origin, but the most popular one is that it was invented in Sioux City, Iowa. The story goes that a cook at a café created a version of the dish with ground beef and tomato sauce, which he called a “loose meat sandwich.”

The dish quickly gained popularity, and by the 1930s, it was being sold in cans as “Sloppy Joe” sauce. In the 1950s, it became popular in the UK and Ireland, where it was served on toast or with pasta. Today, it is still a beloved dish that can be found in many different variations.

Whether you choose to serve it over a hamburger bun, toast, or over pasta—it’s sure to be a hit!

Ingredients and Shopping List

Vegetable oil—olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, or your oil of choice.
White onion—one large onion. I use a white onion for this recipe but use what you have in your refrigerator.
Red bell pepper—the slightly sweet flavor helps to balance the spices.
Garlic—mince a full tablespoon, more if you and your family are garlic lovers.
Ground beef—2 pounds of ground beef. You can use lean ground beef to reduce the fat content or use ground turkey or chicken.
Rosamae seasoning salt—my signature blend of sea salt, paprika, garlic, onion, celery seed, thyme, and black pepper.
Ground black pepper—there is black pepper in the seasoning salt, but this recipe needs a bit more.
Diced fire-roasted tomatoes—2 (15 oz) cans for texture, and so that you don’t have to roast and dice your own.
Tomato sauce—1 (15 oz) can of plain tomato sauce.
Light brown sugar—a little more sweetness to enhance the heat of the hot sauce below.
Worcestershire sauce—for that savory umami flavor to elevate these kitchen staples.
Apple cider vinegar—just a bit of acid to brighten up this dish.
Hot sauce—as hot as you want but keep everyone else at the table in mind. You can always sprinkle more on once it’s plated.
Egg noodles—a 12 oz pack of these soft noodles pairs perfectly with this dish.
Optional—top with parmesan cheese or your shredded cheese of choice. You can also sprinkle on fresh chopped parsley or chives.

Supplies

Large skillet
Measuring spoons
Cutting board
Knife for chopping
Silicone or wooden spoon
Optional—cheese grater, garlic press, or multi-functional vegetable chopper

Why Use Egg Noodles?

There are a couple of different reasons to use egg noodles in this dish:

Cooking time—egg noodles are thinner meaning they cook faster. In this recipe, they can be cooked in the skillet without being boiled in a separate pot of water.

Texture—while freshly made Italian pasta is softer, store bought boxed pasta is cooked until it is “al dente” which means firm. A softer texture ensures an even distribution of ingredients.

Cost—I’m all about finding delicious, nutritious, and budget-friendly recipes. These noodles bulk up your dish ensuring it is hearty and filling.

Can I Use Ground Turkey or Ground Chicken?

Yes! Whether it’s what you already have in your freezer, or you simply prefer turkey or chicken, either can be substituted. Odds are your family won’t even know the difference!

Why consider ground turkey or chicken instead? Beef is higher in saturated fat so it’s not as heart-healthy. Purchasing lean ground beef and draining the fat after browning also reduces the fat content.

The Perfect Side Dish for Sloppy Joe Pasta

A great side dish to go with Sloppy Joe Pasta is a fresh green salad. A simple salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and a light vinaigrette dressing is a delicious and healthy side dish. It will add a light, crunchy texture and a vibrant pop of color to the plate.

Also consider:

Your salad of choice
Fresh or frozen garlic bread
Dinner roll or bread of choice

What to Do With Your Leftovers?

Store—if you have leftovers, let them cool and transfer them to an airtight container. While it won’t spoil for 4 or 5 days, the noodles will get soggy after about 2 days.

Reheat—reheat in whatever way is fastest and easiest, either in the microwave in 1-minute intervals or on the stovetop. If you use the stove, add a bit of water or broth to your saucepan, and add a lid to let your Sloppy Joe Pasta heat and steam over low-medium heat. Stir every minute or so until heated through. Freeze—if your family is small or you like to freeze meals for later, this recipe freezes for up to 3 months. Just place it in a labeled freezer-safe container. When you are ready to eat it, defrost it in the refrigerator the night before. It will be good for 3 to 4 days after it’s defrosted.