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A Sloppy Joe Skillet has a delicious combination of ground meat, spices, and tomato sauce, all cooked together in a single skillet for an easy and hearty meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser for the whole family!
Sloppy Joe Skillet
This sloppy joe potato skillet is a hearty, one-pan meal that combines tender potatoes with the rich, tangy flavors of classic sloppy joe sauce. Topped with melted cheese, it’s a comforting and easy dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
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Ingredients:
- yellow potatoes – Although yellow potatoes have a creamier texture, you could substitute russet potatoes if that’s what you have.
- olive oil – Any cooking oil will work for this dish.
- garlic powder
- paprika – For a bit of smokey flavor, use smoked paprika.
- salt
- pepper
- sweet onion
- salted butter
- ground beef
- tomato sauce
- ketchup
- BBQ sauce – Any BBQ sauce (even a homemade version) will work.
- Worcestershire sauce
- minced garlic
- Dijon mustard – Yellow mustard will also work for this recipe.
- sharp cheddar cheese – Use any melting cheese that you like. Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Provolone, mozzarella, or Colby Jack will all work great.
Short on Time?
If you need the dinner to come together in a hurry, save time by using frozen diced potatoes. Cook the potatoes according to package instructions before adding them to the meat mixture. You can even try tater tots!
Recipe:
Season the potatoes. In a large bowl, add the potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and toss until the potatoes are coated in the seasoning.
Bake the potatoes. Transfer the potatoes to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, flipping them about halfway through.
Sauté your onions. While the potatoes cook, place a large heavy bottom skillet over medium heat, add the onion and butter. Stir occasionally until the onions become translucent.
Brown your meat. Add the ground beef and use a spatula to break up the meat as it browns. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
Build your sauce. To the meat mixture, add the tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, minced garlic, and mustard. Turn the heat to low, stir, and simmer until the potatoes have finished cooking.
Add potatoes and cheese. Add potatoes to the skillet with the meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese and cover the pan with a lid or place the entire skillet into the oven on broil for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Air Fryer Recipe
If you want to avoid using your oven, cook your potatoes in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and add your potatoes in a single layer. Work in batches if you need to. Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes, stopping halfway to shake the basket.
Freezer Recipe
You can make this meal ahead of time and freeze it in separate parts to make it easy to put together on another day. If you store them together, the potatoes will get soggy. Cook as directed, but do not combine the meat mixture with the potatoes. Allow both to cool completely, store them in separate freezer bags or airtight containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw both parts completely. Pop the potatoes into an oven at 400°F for 15 minutes and allow them to crisp while you reheat the meat mixture on the stovetop. Top with potatoes and melt cheese over the top before serving.
Sloppy Joe Skillet Recipe
Sloppy Joe Skillet
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- mixing bowls
- heavy bottom skillet
- spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 5 medium yellow potatoes, peeled and cubed into ½ inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 small sweet onion (about ½ cup), diced
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoons minced roasted garlic
- 1 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat and prep your pan. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Season the potatoes. In a large bowl, add the potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper and toss until the potatoes are coated in the seasoning.
- Bake the potatoes. Transfer the potatoes to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes flipping them about halfway through.
- Sauté your onions. While the potatoes cook, place a large heavy bottom skillet over medium heat and add the onion and butter. Stir occasionally until the onions become translucent.
- Brown your meat. Add the ground beef and use a spatula to break up the meat as it browns. Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Build your sauce. To the meat mixture, add the tomato sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, minced garlic, and mustard. Turn the heat to low, stir, and simmer until the potatoes have finished cooking.
- Add potatoes and cheese. Add potatoes to the skillet with the meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese and cover the pan with a lid or place the entire skillet into the oven on broil for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Notes
- Stovetop: To a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, add your leftovers. Stirring occasionally, allow the meat and potatoes to cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the entire dish is warmed throughout.
- Microwave: Place individual servings on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 1 ½ -2 minutes. Let stand for 1 minute before serving.
