Lunch Lady Sloppy Joes

Lunch Lady Sloppy Joes are a fun twist on sloppy joes and an easy dinner for any night of the week. Hotdog buns, stuffed with a mozzarella cheese stick and topped with hot sloppy joe sauce for a string-cheesy and delicious dinner.

Course Mains & Entrees

Cuisine American

Keyword beef, cheese, easy, fun, kid friendly

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 399

Author Laurie McNamara

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil or bacon fat
1 cup yellow onion finely chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1¼ pounds ground beef
1½ teaspoons chili powder regular or ancho
2 teaspoons yellow mustard or to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
2 dashes worcestershire sauce to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 mozzarella string cheese sticks at room temperature
8 hotdog buns toasted if you're in the mood
sliced green onions for serving
pickled jalapenos for serving (optional)

Instructions

In a medium sauce pan, over medium-low heat, sauté the onions in olive oil (or bacon fat). Once soft and translucent add in the garlic, cook for one minute. Next add in the ground beef and use a spatula (or potato masher) to break it up into small pieces and cook thoroughly.
Then measure and add in the ancho chili powder, mustard, sugar, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire, salt and pepper to the meat mixture. Stir and simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Place the cheese sticks inside the buns and top with sloppy Joe sauce. Sprinkle with green onions, pickled jalapeno slices and/or anything else your heart desires and serve!

Notes

For optimal cheese string action, warm the mozzarella cheese sticks in the microwave until very soft (but not melting) before placing in the bun and pouring sloppy joe sauce on top.

Nutrition