Turn family dinner into a Halloween-themed feast with these Spooky Sloppy Joes! Perfect for October gatherings or a festive weeknight meal, this recipe transforms a classic sloppy joe into a frightful treat by topping savory, saucy ground beef with cheddar cheese slices carved into jack-oβ-lantern faces. The rich blend of ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and spices creates a hearty, flavorful filling, while toasted buns add the perfect finishing touch. Easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, these spooky sandwiches are as fun to make as they are to eat, making them a hit with both kids and adults. Serve them fresh and warm for a playful dish thatβs as festive as it is delicious!
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until brown and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks. This should take about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well to fully combine.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors have melded. Remove from heat.
While the mixture simmers, use a small paring knife or Halloween-themed cookie cutters to carve jack-o'-lantern faces into the cheddar cheese slices.
Toast the burger buns lightly in a toaster or under the broiler for added texture if desired.
To assemble the Spooky Sloppy Joes, spoon a generous portion of the beef mixture onto the bottom half of each bun. Top with a cheese slice featuring the jack-o'-lantern cutout, followed by the top half of the bun.
Serve immediately and enjoy the spooky fun!
Calories |
1945 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 120.9 g | 155% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.2 g | 281% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 421 mg | 140% | |
| Sodium | 4467 mg | 194% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 97.6 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.9 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.9 g | ||
| Protein | 118.7 g | 237% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1073 mg | 83% | |
| Iron | 14.5 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 1765 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.