Short description
A hearty take on the classic sloppy joe featuring ground beef, tangy Mississippi-style sauce, and vibrant pepper rings baked atop soft buns—vibrant, saucy, and satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold, southern-inspired flavors: A tangy, sweet-spicy sauce that sets this sloppy joe apart.
Fun presentation: Pepper rings on top add color and structure, locking in flavors and juices.
Easy bake: Assemble in a casserole dish and bake—no skillet mess required.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped (plus extra for rings)
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1–2 Tbsp brown sugar (to taste)
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
4–6 hamburger buns
1 bell pepper, sliced into rings (for topping)

directions

Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onion and bell pepper until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Add ground beef; cook, breaking up lumps, until browned and no longer pink. Drain grease if needed.
Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
Spoon the beef mixture evenly onto the bottom halves of the buns in the baking dish.
Place a pepper ring on each bun top.
Bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes, until buns are warmed and sauce bubbles.
Remove from oven, top buns, and serve immediately.

Servings and timing

Servings: 4–6 sandwiches
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes bake + 8 minutes stovetop
Total time: approximately 20–25 minutes

Variations

Cheesy option: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or pepper jack over the beef before placing buns on top.
Spicy kick: Use poblano or banana pepper rings and add a dash of cayenne to the sauce.
Turkey swap: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Slider size: Use small slider buns for party-friendly bites.
Sweet-savory twist: Add a tablespoon of molasses to the sauce for deeper richness.

storage/reheating

Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
- Oven: Reheat at 350 °F for 8–10 minutes until heated through and saucy.
- Microwave: Heat individual sandwiches for 45–60 seconds.
Freezing: Assemble the beef mixture (without buns/pepper rings), cool, and freeze in freezer bags up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat before baking on buns.

FAQs

1. Can I make the meat filling ahead?

Yes—cook the beef mixture ahead and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking on buns.

2. What kind of pepper works best?

Sweet bell pepper rings work great; for heat, try poblano or banana pepper slices.

3. Can I freeze assembled sandwiches?

Not recommended—buns may become soggy. Freeze filling separately as noted above.

4. How do I prevent soggy buns?

Bake just until warmed and saucy; avoid over-soaking the buns before topping.

5. Can I use ground turkey?

Yes—ground turkey or chicken works, with similar sauce flavors.

6. Can I make smaller sliders?

Absolutely—use small buns and pepper rings for bite-sized versions.

7. Can I add cheese?

Yes—add shredded cheese over the beef before topping with the buns, or melt cheese on buns after baking.

8. Is this kid-friendly?

Yes—mildly seasoned and fun presentation make it appealing to kids.

9. Can I adjust sweetness?

Yes—add more or less brown sugar, or swap to honey or maple syrup.

10. What sides pair well?

Enjoy with coleslaw, tater tots, fries, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.

Conclusion

Mississippi Sloppy Joes with Pepper Rings bring bold, tangy flavors and playful presentation to a comfort classic. Easy to prepare, fun to serve, and full of flavor,