Sloppy Joe Pizza is everything you love about the classic sandwich piled onto buttery garlic bread and baked with melty Cheddar.

Sloppy Joe Pizza on a plate.

This Sloppy Joe Pizza Is…

  • Simple: Straightforward ingredients, easy steps.
  • A hit with kids: A surefire way to excite the little ones about dinner time.
  • Ultimate comfort food: Hearty and satisfying – it’s comfort food at its best! Sloppy Joes + Pizza. What’s not to love?!
  • Packed with flavor: Every bite brings savory, cheesy deliciousness.
  • Easy to prep ahead: Fix the meat sauce ahead of time for a quick dinner assembly.
    Ingredients used in this recipe prepped out for easy assembly.

    Sloppy Joe Pizza Ingredients

    IngredientWhat It Does
    Ground beefHearty and savory base. Use lean to cut down on grease
    Onion, garlic, pepperBuilds the flavor base. Grate onion, finely chop pepper, and add garlic to taste
    Tomato paste & crushed tomatoesForm the sauce. Paste thickens, crushed tomatoes add body and flavor
    Ketchup & WorcestershireAdd sweetness, tang, and richness to balance the sauce
    SeasoningsMustard powder, bouillon, and brown sugar help round out the flavor
    Sharp CheddarBold, melty topping. Sharp cheese brings the best flavor
    French breadCrispy base that holds everything and adds buttery flavor
    The French bread being toasted in the oven for Sloppy Joe Pizzas.

    How To Make Sloppy Joe Pizza

    1. Make sauce: Grate onion and dice pepper. Sauté with garlic, then brown the beef. Stir in tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and seasonings. Simmer until thick.
    2. Prep bread: Mix up a quick garlic butter and brush it over halved French bread.
    3. Assemble: Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture over the toasted bread and top with cheese.
    4. Bake: Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    5. Serve: Slice and enjoy right away with your favorite sides.
    Oil, veggies, beef, seasonings, and remaining ingredients being added to the pot.

    What To Serve With Sloppy Joe Pizza

    The meat mixture simmering then being added to the French bread, cheese being added on top, and the Sloppy Joe Pizzas being baked.

    Storage

    Leftovers?

    Sloppy Joe Pizza is tastiest fresh from the oven, but for any leftovers, follow these steps:

    • Cool: Let it cool to room temp.
    • Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or wrapped well, for 2-3 days.
    • Freeze: Freeze slices on a baking sheet, then in a bag for up to two months.
    • Reheat: Oven at 350°F until hot (best for texture). Microwave works but will soften the bread.

    More Comfort Food Recipes:

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    Sloppy Joe Pizza

    Sloppy Joe Pizza: Juicy, saucy ground beef piled on garlic-buttered French bread, topped with loads of melted Cheddar.
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings

    Video

    Equipment

    Ingredients

    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
    • 1/2 cup grated yellow onion 1 medium onion
    • 1 red bell pepper finely chopped, about 1 pepper
    • 4 teaspoons minced garlic divided
    • 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
    • 1/2 cup ketchup Heinz recommended
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
    • Salt
    • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar see note 1
    • 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
    • 1-1/2 cups (packed) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
    • 1 loaf French bread
    • finely chopped fresh parsley optional

    Instructions 

    • Grate onion on large holes of a grater to get a packed 1/2 cup; dice bell pepper. Preheat oven to 400°F.
    • In a large pan, melt 1-1/2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and 2 teaspoons garlic. Sauté until tender and liquid has evaporated (about 5–7 minutes).
    • Push veggies to edge; add beef to center. Let sear, then crumble while incorporating veggies. When mostly browned through, add tomato paste, bouillon, pepper, ground mustard, and a pinch of salt. Drain excess grease if needed.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer until thick (10–15 minutes). Stir occasionally. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings.
    • Mix remaining 3-1/2 tablespoons butter with remaining 2 teaspoons garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut French bread in half lengthwise. Then cut both halves in half widthwise to get 4 large pieces.
    • Brush a little bit of butter on the bottom of all pieces. Place upside down on a foil-lined sheet pan. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove and flip over. Brush rest of butter on inside of bread. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove and let stand, then gently press in the centers to make room for meat sauce.
    • Divide beef mixture evenly among bread. Top with cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
    • Slice and enjoy immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.

    Recipe Notes

    Note 1: Adjust brown sugar to taste based on the acidity of the tomatoes used. You might skip it or add a bit more. Taste and adjust accordingly.
    Storage: For leftovers, let cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the fridge for 23 days. Freeze slices on a sheet pan, then in a bag for up to 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 703kcal | Carbohydrates: 52.9g | Protein: 43.5g | Fat: 35.4g | Cholesterol: 155.1mg | Sodium: 1558.1mg | Fiber: 5.1g | Sugar: 15.2g

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Meet Chelsea


    Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

    Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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    2 Comments

    1. Elizabeth Grevey says:

      What is the oven temp?

      1. Chelsea says:

        400 F, thanks Elizabeth!