Last Sunday was one I’ll remember for a long time: two of my boys had their first band practice. I stood in the kitchen listening to them jam, sneaking glances without appearing like an overexcited backstage mom. I took as many quiet photos as I could and fought back tears so they’d know I was proud without making a scene.
When you have a house full of teenage boys, you learn fast that food must be ready no matter what else is happening. That’s why I rely on my Make Ahead Mondays habit. I keep a freezer stocked with quick-options for evenings when life gets hectic, and this time the winner was a bag of homemade sloppy joe filling.
Sunday nights at our house are a whirlwind of quick bedtime routines: a kiss, a short prayer, blankets tucked up, a hunt for lost stuffed animals, a pat on the head, and then my firm-but-humorous warning about not interrupting Downton Abbey. After that I practically fly to the couch with a mug of tea and the remote.
Of course the kids ignore my threats and appear downstairs anyway, but I savor my DVR-protected Downton time all the same. I find myself shouting at the television—cheering, gasping, and muttering things like “SHUT UP, THOMAS!” or “Poor Daisy,” and more often than not exclaiming, “SIR RICHARD IS A JERK!”
Yes, I’m a little obsessed. But when it comes to meal prep, that obsession helps: the sloppy joes I had frozen allowed me to put a meal for ten on the table in thirty minutes and finish cleaning in another half hour. Having that freezer stash meant I could enjoy Downton and the boys’ first band practice without stress.
Homemade sloppy joes are nothing like the packaged versions. When you brown lean meat and simmer it with a tangy tomato base and lots of finely chopped vegetables, the flavors meld into something rich and comforting. Think soft rolls filled with a savory mix of beef, peppers, onions, celery, carrot and spices—deliciously messy and perfect for family dinners. They’re hearty, economical, and a great way to sneak vegetables into picky eaters’ plates.
They are—by nature—sloppy. Keep plenty of napkins handy or, if you prefer a touch of Downton flair, assign a footman for finger bowls. Either way, this filling freezes beautifully in meal-sized portions so you can pull dinner together in minutes on a busy night.
This recipe originally appeared in a Foodie With Family column. Below is a printable, freezer-friendly version of my slow cooker sloppy joes.
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. lean ground beef or turkey
- 2 large onions finely chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 2 large ribs celery finely chopped
- 1 small carrot peeled and finely chopped or grated
- 3 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 3 6- oz. cans tomato paste
- 1/3 c. cider vinegar plus extra to adjust flavor after cooking
- 1/3 c. firmly packed light brown sugar plus extra to adjust flavor after cooking
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons chili powder more or less, to taste
- 1 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper more or less, to taste
- ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Instructions
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat with the onions, bell pepper, celery, carrot, and garlic, breaking the meat up with a fork or wooden spoon until lightly browned. Drain the mixture and transfer it to a slow cooker. Add the tomato paste, cider vinegar, brown sugar, paprika, dry mustard, salt, chili powder, black pepper and hot sauce. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for six to seven hours. Taste and adjust with additional brown sugar or vinegar if desired.
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Serve the filling loosely piled on soft rolls with your favorite toppings.
To Freeze:
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Cool the leftovers completely. Portion into labeled resealable freezer bags. Close the zipper partway and press out as much air as possible without spilling. Finish closing the bag, lay it flat and distribute the filling evenly. Freeze the bags on a cookie sheet until solid, then store flat to save space.
To Reheat:
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Thaw frozen filling in the refrigerator. Microwave in a covered microwave-safe bowl, stirring every two minutes until hot throughout. Or transfer to a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add 1/4 cup water, cover and warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using your actual ingredients and preferred nutrition calculator.
did you make this recipe?
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