This easy homemade sloppy joe recipe was inspired by my mom’s no-measure cooking style and childhood memories in her kitchen.
Why I Love This Sloppy Joe Recipe
Every time I go home to visit my mom, I feel like I gain five pounds. She’s constantly offering food and asking, “Are you hungry?” even if I just finished a plate. Her cooking is legendary in our family, and one dish I always look forward to is her sloppy joes.
Her sloppy joe recipe isn’t just delicious, it’s full of memories. When I was a kid, I’d set up my toy kitchen next to her and pretend to cook while she made dinner. That’s where I first fell in love with being in the kitchen and eventually hosting and feeding people myself.
How My Mom Taught Me to Cook (Without Even Trying)
My mom never used a cookbook. She didn’t follow recipes. She cooked with her heart and by instinct. If she didn’t have an ingredient, she found a way to make it work. That kind of resourcefulness has always amazed me.
I’m the opposite. I measure everything. I want to know exactly how much to use, when to add it, and why. But the more I taste her food, the more I realize she’s onto something. Cooking with feeling might just be the real secret.
The Sloppy Joe That Took Me Back
A few weeks ago, she made her classic sloppy joes and brought me right back to childhood. I forgot how much I loved them. I missed out on these meals during college and early adult life, and suddenly I wanted to make up for lost time. So I made a plan: go back home, stand next to her at the stove like I used to, and learn how to make her sloppy joes…for real this time.
Learning the Recipe (Sort Of)
Just like the old days, I stood beside her in the kitchen. This time I wasn’t holding a toy spoon—I was taking mental notes. She added ingredients like she was painting a picture. A dash of this. A spoonful of that. No measurements, just muscle memory and love.
I did my best to translate her magic into actual amounts. It wasn’t perfect, but each batch I make gets a little closer to hers.
Cooking With Heart
That’s what she taught me. Not just how to make sloppy joes, but how to cook with intention. How to put love into the food you’re making. I still measure (I can’t help it), but I’m learning that a recipe can be a feeling just as much as it is a formula.
These sloppy joes are more than a comfort meal. They’re a connection to where I came from, a reminder of how I started, and a thank you to my first and favorite cooking teacher.
Final Thoughts
Each time I make these sloppy joes, I feel like I’m bringing a little piece of my mom’s kitchen into my own home. Cooking her way has helped me loosen up, trust my instincts, and remember that the best meals are the ones made with love.
Thanks, Ma. For feeding me, teaching me, and reminding me that sometimes the best recipe is the one you feel your way through.
What to Know About This Sloppy Joe Recipe:
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Inspired by my mom’s from-the-heart cooking style
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Sweet and savory with a rich, comforting flavor
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Perfect for weeknight dinners or nostalgic family meals
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Great for beginners or home cooks who love a personal touch
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Includes real measurements to help recreate the magic
Sloppy Joes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Description
These sloppy joes are a heartfelt tribute to my mom’s no-measure, flavor-packed cooking, and the joy of learning to cook with love.
Ingredients
- 6oz Can of Tomato Paste (Italian or Basil & Garlic flavored)
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 small/medium green pepper
- 8oz (1/2 can) of Hunts Manwich Sloppy Joes Sauce
- 1 tbsp. of McCormick Mild Chili Seasoning
- 1 tbsp. of olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium/large sauce pan heat 1 tbsp of olive oil and place on medium high heat.
- Once warmed, add the beef and cook until browned, stirring occasionally.
- While the meat is cooking, chop up the green peeper into small pieces.
- After the meat has cooked through (no more pink), add in the green pepper. Cook for a few minutes until the pepper starts to soften, about 1-2 minutes.
- Next, add the tomato paste and combined evenly.
- Lastly, stir in the Hunts Manwich sauce and chili seasoning.
- Lower the heat to low heat and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Scoop onto prepared rolls and enjoy!