Reinvent Sloppy Joes And Give Them A Pizza Twist

Sloppy Joes have always been a nostalgic childhood favorite — they're saucy, messy, and very cheap to make. And then there's pizza. Classic, customizable, and universally craved, it's perhaps the ultimate comfort food. So we say, why not put them together and create a dish that feels familiar but surprising at the same time? By letting the bold, slightly tangy notes of pizza sauce take the lead — with cheese swooping in for some balance — the result is less sweet than the classic sloppy Joe mix. That swap alone can change the whole mood of the sandwich.

When it comes to a classic sloppy Joe, it's usually ground beef that is used, but as soon as you start playing around with creative upgrades you can really start to think outside the box. Instead of ground beef, try sausage crumbles for more punch, or use pulled chicken in your sloppy Joes if you'd rather not use red meat without sacrificing texture. For vegetarians, there is a canned staple you can use as a vegetarian sloppy Joe alternative that soaks up sauce beautifully and still gives you a nice tender bite: baked beans. No matter how you fill the bun, it's worth remembering that the topping matters just as much as the filling, so a gooey layer of mozzarella, provolone, or even a swipe of cream cheese will help tie everything together.

Of course, if we're going down the route of a pizza-inspired Joes, then there's a whole world of pizza-inspired fillings you could click into. Pepperoni feels like an obvious one, but why not theme out your pizza sloppy Joe? For example, you could make a "supreme" sloppy Joe loaded with bell peppers, olives, and mushrooms or a white pizza version, swapping tomato sauce for garlicky Alfredo and finishing with spinach and ricotta. There's even potential for barbecue chicken pizza: Just use a sweet barbecue sauce, smoky meat, and melted cheese to pull it off.

Texture is key. Too soft, and the sandwich collapses. Too dry, and you lose that signature "sloppiness". So make sure you keep the sauce thick enough to cling while still juicy enough to drip. Toasting the buns lightly is always a good idea — this gives them a fighting chance against the filling. Or, for the truly adventurous, use garlic bread instead of plain rolls, which are studier and give an even bigger nod to pizza night. And for balance, you can add a pickle to temper the richness of sloppy Joes, which can keep the flavor from leaning too heavy.