Description
This One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines the beloved taste of sloppy joes with tender pasta, all cooked in a single pot. With ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, it’s an easy 35-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights that satisfies the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Liquids and Sauces
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef stock
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Other Ingredients
- 8 ounces mezze penne or other small pasta shape
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Grated cheddar cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics and Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until it starts to soften, about five minutes. Add minced garlic and ground beef, breaking the beef up as it browns. Season with kosher salt and stir in apple cider vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Mix in the tomato paste until fully incorporated.
- Add Liquid and Pasta: Pour in beef stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the pasta, pressing it down so it is submerged in the liquid. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is almost cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Combine with Sauce and Finish Cooking: Stir in tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped parsley. Bring to a gentle simmer and continue to cook, stirring so the pasta doesn’t stick, for another 5 minutes or until the pasta is perfectly cooked and the sauce is thickened.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with grated cheddar cheese if desired.
Notes
- Press the pasta down into the liquid to ensure even cooking.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pot.
- Use small pasta shapes like mezze penne for best results.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the onions.
- Grated cheddar cheese adds a nice creamy finish but can be omitted for a dairy-free option.
