Julie Clark
Updated:
One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta (Ready in 35 Minutes)
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If you need a real dinner on the table in 35 minutes using one pot, this is it. Sloppy joe pasta takes everything you love about the classic sloppy joe sandwich, the sweet, tangy, savory beef sauce, and turns it into a hearty pasta dish that’s even easier to serve. No buns, no drips, no second pan.
The pasta cooks right in the sauce, which means less cleanup and more flavor in every bite. This meal will earn a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.
If you love easy one-pot dinners like one pot creamy pasta or hamburger helper lasagna, this one is going straight to the top of your list. Try our ravioli al pomodoro, too!
What You Need for Sloppy Joe Pasta
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef to reduce the amount of fat. You can substitute with ground turkey for a sloppy Jane pasta!
- Penne: Short pasta shapes work best here. Think penne, rotini, shells, elbows or bowtie pasta. They hold the sauce in their ridges and cook evenly without turning mushy.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds a nice tang, but white vinegar works as well.
- Strained Tomatoes: I used a 24 ounce jar of strained tomatoes. If you cannot find this product, tomato purée will work as well.
✨ See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts. ✨
Can You Make This with Manwich?
Yes, and it works great. Swap the strained tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, chili powder, and garlic powder for one 15-ounce can of Manwich Original. Keep the chicken stock since that’s what cooks the pasta.
You’ll get a slightly sweeter, faster version that’s just as satisfying. If you want to stretch the flavor, add a teaspoon of Worcestershire and a pinch of chili powder even with the canned sauce.
How to Make One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
- In a large pot or deep, large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the diced onion and red pepper, and sauté until they are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef, salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Add the chicken stock, strained tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Stir in the penne, ensuring it is fully submerged in the sauce.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle the sloppy joe pasta with chopped parsley. Serve warm.
Tips for the best results.
Don’t overcook the pasta. Start checking at 12 minutes. The pasta will continue to absorb liquid off the heat, so pull it when it’s just tender.
Sauce too thin? Remove the lid for the last 3-4 minutes and let it reduce. The starch from the pasta will help it thicken naturally.
Sauce too thick? Add a splash of chicken stock, a few tablespoons at a time, and stir over low heat.
Drain the fat. After browning the beef, drain off any excess fat before adding your liquids. This keeps the sauce from becoming greasy and lets the tomato flavor come through clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sloppy joe good on pasta?
Yes, sloppy joe sauce was practically made for it. The sweet, tangy tomato base coats penne and rotini the same way it soaks into a bun, and because you cook the pasta directly in the sauce, the flavor goes all the way through. It’s actually better than the sandwich for a sit-down family dinner.
What’s the difference between a sloppy joe and a sloppy Jane?
A sloppy Jane is just a sloppy joe made with ground turkey instead of beef. The sauce is the same but you get the same sweet, tangy flavor with a leaner protein. Our recipe works perfectly as a sloppy Jane pasta; just swap in ground turkey 1:1.
Can I make sloppy joe pasta ahead of time?
Yes. It reheats well with a splash of chicken stock or water to loosen the sauce. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. It’s a great option for busy weeks.
Make it your own.
- Swap out the ground beef for a plant-based alternative or crumbled tofu.
- Add diced carrots, green bell peppers, celery, or mushrooms for extra nutrition and taste in the sloppy joe pasta.
- Transfer the cooked pasta to a baking dish, top with mozzarella or cheddar cheese, and broil it in the oven for a few minutes until golden and bubbly.
One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta (Ready in 35 Minutes)
This one pot sloppy joe pasta is a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich. A pasta dish recipe in 35 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Servings 6
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 24 ounces strained tomatoes 1 jar (or tomato purée)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 ounces penne or any short pasta
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and red pepper, and sauté until they are softened, about 3-4 minutes. 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper
- Add the ground beef, salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed. 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the chicken stock, strained tomatoes, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder. Stir until everything is well combined. 3 cups chicken stock, 24 ounces strained tomatoes, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Stir in the penne, ensuring it is fully submerged in the sauce. 10 ounces penne
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve warm. 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Notes
Pasta doneness: Start checking at 12 minutes. The pasta keeps absorbing liquid after you remove the lid, so pull it when it’s just tender but not soft.
One-pot tip: Resist the urge to add more liquid early. The sauce thickens as the pasta cooks. If it’s too thin at the end, simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes.
Adjust the Thickness: If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken stock. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6, with 1 serving being ⅙ of the pasta. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 706mg | Potassium: 1135mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 1602IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 5mg
Side Dishes for Sloppy Joe Pasta
To make this one-pot dinner a complete meal, consider a couple of the following side dishes:
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This sloppy joe pasta also freezes well. After cooking, let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
