Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes meet pizza in this mouthwatering, cheesy, saucy mash-up! Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes take everything you love about a classic pepperoni pizza—zesty marinara, gooey mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni—and pile it onto a toasted bun for a handheld comfort food experience. This recipe is quick, fun, and perfect for weeknight dinners, game-day meals, or when you want something the whole family will devour. Unlike regular sloppy joes, this version packs in bold Italian flavors, and the melted cheese on top makes every bite taste just like a slice of pizza—without the oven!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Assembly & Cheese Melt: 5 minutes
Cool & Serve: 5 minutes
Total Time: ~40 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup pizza sauce (or marinara)
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup sliced pepperoni, chopped (plus extra for topping)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
4–6 hamburger buns or hoagie rolls, toasted
2 tbsp butter, for toasting buns
Instructions
Cook the meat:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned (6–7 minutes).
Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add veggies & flavor:
Stir in onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
Cook until softened (3–4 minutes).
Sauce it up:
Stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
Add pepperoni & cheese:
Stir in chopped pepperoni and ½ cup mozzarella until melted into the mixture.
Toast buns:
Spread butter on buns and toast in a skillet or under the broiler until golden.
Assemble:
Spoon sloppy joe mixture onto buns.
Top with remaining mozzarella and extra pepperoni slices.
Cover skillet with a lid (or place under broiler) for 2–3 minutes to melt cheese.
Serve:
Let cool 5 minutes before serving (saves your mouth from molten cheese burns!).
Tips & Variations
Extra pizza toppings: Add mushrooms, olives, or jalapeños for variety.
Cheese swap: Try provolone or pepper jack for a twist.
Make-ahead: The meat filling can be made 1 day ahead—just reheat and assemble.
Serving idea: Pair with garlic fries or a fresh salad.