Rachael Ray would call a recipe like this a 30-minute meal. Cooking Light would call it “Superfast.” Gourmet (RIP) would have called it “Gourmet Everyday.” But when I was working on the food pages in magazines, I used to call it a classic Tuesday Night Dinner. Because in my mind, Tuesday is the night when you need the surefire shot of confidence the most. Tuesday is not Monday, when you either have a stash of leftovers to build on from Sunday’s meal or feel pumped up about the idea of dinner since it’s only Day 1 of the 5-day grind. Tuesday is when you need a dinner that is quick-and-dirty, down-home-and-delicious, and if at all possible, universally praised tableside. And then, when you nail Tuesday, the rest of the week is cake.
Sloppy Joes
This is a combo riff on a Cookie and a Real Simple recipe.
In a large skillet set over medium heat, add olive oil and add 1/2 onion (chopped), 1 clove garlic (minced), and a handful of any of the following: zucchini (shredded) red or green bell peppers (chopped). Cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add 1 pound ground turkey or beef and cook until most of the pink is gone. (I usually drain the fat before proceeding.) Add 1/2 can of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, a pinch of cinnamon, salt, and pepper and mix together, adding a bit of water if the meat looks too dry. Lower heat and simmer another 5-10 minutes until meat is cooked through and flavors have melded. Add to toasted whole wheat buns, add slices of sharp cheddar, and put under the broiler for 2 minutes. Top with sour cream if desired.
Related: Cure for the Common Thursday (Six Ingredients, Five Meals)
8 responses so far ↓
1 Jessica // Nov 2, 2010 at 10:28 am
How is it I never thought to put cheese on my sloppy joes?
But I’m so glad I’m not the only one to put zucchini in them! Great way to get in some veggies.
2 Amanda // Nov 2, 2010 at 11:32 am
I have such a soft spot in my heart for Sloppy Joes. It was the first meal I learned to cook in a cooking class my mom signed me up for when I was in third grade. I made dinner for her that night using my Sloppy Joe recipe and from then on whenever my mom wondered out loud about what to make for dinner that night, my first suggestion was always to make Sloppy Joes. Tonight, I have designated your Chinese Chicken and Broccoli as my Tuesday night bridge to the weekend dinner.
3 jesser // Nov 2, 2010 at 11:36 am
That looks good … I think I might have to have that for dinner soon. Love the idea of zucchini in them. I put it in everything else but I hadn’t thought of sloppies. Thanks!
4 ann steinbach // Nov 3, 2010 at 7:20 am
I’m hungry just looking at the picture. love that recipe, they look wonderful!
5 Kari // Nov 3, 2010 at 11:42 am
Made this last night, and it was a hit! Even with my usually picky 2 and 4 year olds. I put avocado slices on them too, for the three of us for whom that wouldn’t be a deal breaker (4 year old says she doesn’t like avocado).
I will definitely be filing this in the “things all of us like to eat” category.
6 Lisa and Laura Roecker // Nov 4, 2010 at 10:34 pm
Just stumbled across your blog and I’m already slightly obsessed. Can’t wait to try some of your recipes!
7 Amanda // Nov 11, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Thank you! Great reminder of a childhood favorite. Reminds me of sleep away camp. I did alter it slightly, as I always do. My two littles have been very finicky of late…so I added some very well shredded carrot and left out the chili and oregano. I wanted it to be sweet and savoury and it was delicious! We all loved it.
8 Sara // Jan 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm
I’m going to try these tonight – with turkey and whole what buns! I cannot wait because they look so delicious!
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