Tangy Slow Cooker Pizza Sloppy Joes Recipe For Fun Dinners

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with these mouth-watering slow cooker pizza sloppy joes that blend classic comfort food with pizzeria-inspired flavors.

Ground beef sizzles with zesty marinara and pepperoni, creating a hearty meal that packs a punch of taste.

The slow cooker works its magic, letting ingredients meld into a rich, savory mixture that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds.

Melted cheese adds a creamy layer of indulgence to each bite, transforming an ordinary sandwich into something extraordinary.

Kids and adults alike will devour these messy, flavor-packed sandwiches without hesitation.

The simplicity of this recipe means you can have a gourmet-style meal ready with minimal effort.

Serve these sloppy joes on toasted buns and watch them disappear in record time.

Storing and Warming Pizza Sloppy Joes Later

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled sloppy joe mixture to freezer-safe containers, where it will maintain quality for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Warm the mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Add a splash of water if the mixture seems dry.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

What Goes With These Savory Sandwiches

• Pair with Crisp Italian Salad: Toss together fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, and shaved parmesan with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the sloppy joes.
• Complement with Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that matches the robust pizza-style flavors and helps balance the meaty, cheesy sandwich.
• Cool Down with Chilled Cucumber Slaw: Create a tangy side dish using shredded cucumbers, red onions, and a light dressing to provide a refreshing contrast to the heavy main course.
• Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chips: Bake thin potato chips sprinkled with garlic powder and grated parmesan for a crunchy accompaniment that echoes the pizza-inspired sandwich's flavor profile.

Ways to Switch Up Pizza Sloppy Joes

• Vegetarian Pizza Sloppy Joes: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free version that maintains the pizza flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rolls or serve the mixture over cauliflower rice to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Variant: Add diced green chilies, swap pizza sauce for salsa, and include pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern-inspired rendition.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip the rolls entirely and serve the mixture over zucchini noodles or as a hearty topping for roasted bell peppers.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a leaner alternative. Just make sure to brown it thoroughly and drain any excess liquid to maintain the recipe’s texture.

• Do I need to pre-cook the pepperoni?

No, you can add the halved pepperoni directly into the slow cooker. They’ll warm through and release their flavor during the cooking process.

• What type of rolls work best for these sloppy joes?

Sturdy hamburger buns or Kaiser rolls are ideal. They should be soft enough to absorb the sauce but strong enough to hold the meaty mixture without falling apart.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the beef mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat in the slow cooker and assemble the sandwiches.

What Makes Slow Cooker Pizza Sloppy Joes Special

• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Fusion: Combine classic pizza toppings with comforting sloppy joe style for a unique twist that delights both kids and adults.
• Kid-Friendly Meal Solution: Create a messy, fun dinner that children will love, packed with familiar pepperoni and cheese flavors that make mealtime exciting.
• Stress-Free Family Dinner: Prepare a hearty, satisfying meal that comes together easily, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more quality moments with loved ones.

Ingredients for Pizza Sloppy Joes in the Crockpot

• Ground Beef: A juicy protein that forms the base of this hearty dish.

• Pizza Sauce: A zesty tomato-based sauce that adds classic pizza flavor.
• Pepperoni: Spicy and savory meat slices that bring a pizza-like punch.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded: Creamy and melty cheese that adds gooey goodness.

• Rolls: Soft sandwich rolls that hold the sloppy joe mixture.

Easy Steps to Make Pizza-Style Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Brown The Beef

Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook ground beef thoroughly, breaking it into small crumbles.

Ensure all meat is completely browned and drain off any excess grease for a cleaner, tastier dish.

Step 2: Transfer To Slow Cooker

Carefully move the cooked beef from the skillet into the slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the cooking vessel.

Step 3: Create Pizza Flavor Base

• Pizza sauce
• Pepperoni slices (halved)

Stir gently to coat the meat completely with delicious pizza-inspired flavors.

Cover the slow cooker and let it simmer on low heat for three hours, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Melt The Cheese

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the beef mixture.

Cover and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes until the cheese melts into a gooey, stretchy layer.

Step 5: Build Delicious Sandwiches

Scoop the cheesy pizza-flavored beef onto soft sandwich rolls.

Top each sandwich with an extra slice of mozzarella cheese for maximum cheesiness.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Serve the sloppy joes immediately while they’re hot and bubbling with cheesy goodness.

These pizza-inspired sandwiches are perfect for a quick family meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Helpful Tips for Pizza Sloppy Joes Flavor

• Brown the ground beef and drain fat in advance, then refrigerate or freeze for quick meal assembly later.
• Swap mozzarella with provolone or a blend of Italian cheeses for deeper flavor profiles.
• Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to increase heat, or use mild pizza sauce for kid-friendly versions.
• Select sturdy rolls like ciabatta or toasted garlic bread to prevent soggy sandwiches and enhance texture.
• Mix in chopped bell peppers or add spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition and color.

Slow Cooker Pizza Sloppy Joes Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty slow cooker pizza sloppy joes bring Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with zesty marinara and melted cheese. Serve these crowd-pleasing sandwiches on toasted buns for a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef

Pizza Sauce and Toppings:

• 30 ounces (850 grams) pizza sauce
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) pepperoni slices, halved
• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 slices mozzarella cheese

Bread:

• 8 rolls

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, crumbling the meat and cooking until completely brown. Eliminate excess grease through thorough draining.
2. Transfer the cooked beef into the slow cooker, creating an even base layer for the recipe.
3. Incorporate pizza sauce and halved pepperoni pieces, stirring carefully to ensure complete meat coverage and flavor distribution.
4. Cover the slow cooker and allow the mixture to simmer on low temperature for approximately three hours, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
5. After the initial cooking period, generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the meat mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
6. Continue cooking for an additional half hour, allowing the cheese to completely melt and create a rich, gooey texture.
7. Select soft sandwich rolls and prepare them for filling, ensuring they are split and ready to receive the savory mixture.
8. Ladle the hot, cheesy beef blend onto each roll, creating hearty and abundant sandwiches.
9. Optional: Add an extra slice of mozzarella on top of each sandwich for additional cheesy indulgence.
10. Serve immediately while the filling remains hot and the cheese maintains its luxurious, molten consistency.

Notes

• Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease and ensure a cleaner, more appetizing dish.
• Choose lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) for a healthier version without compromising flavor.
• Customize pepperoni quantity based on personal preference, using more or less for desired intensity.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like provolone or a pizza cheese mix for unique flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 440
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg