Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
The best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet is a cozy, comforting meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting crispy potatoes every time. The combination of tender potatoes and a rich, tangy Sloppy Joe sauce makes this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls and Easy Blackberry Shortbread Wedges.
Why This Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy potatoes and a rich, tangy sauce
- Easy to customize with your favorite veggies
- One-pan cooking for less cleanup
What You'll Need for Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Russet potatoes
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Canned tomatoes
- Sloppy Joe sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Diced avocado
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Russet potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes can be used as a substitute.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly cooked potatoes and meat → See on Amazon
- Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked ground beef every time → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
- Prepare the potatoes: Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook the potatoes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until crispy and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
- Cook the ground beef: Remove potatoes from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, cook ground beef with onion and bell pepper until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the Sloppy Joe sauce: Add canned tomatoes, Sloppy Joe sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Combine and serve: Return potatoes to the skillet and stir to combine with the Sloppy Joe sauce. Serve hot, topped with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
- Crispy potatoes: Make sure potatoes are completely dry before cooking to achieve the best texture.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce is too thick, add a little water or beef broth to thin it out.
- Customization: Add your favorite vegetables, such as corn, peas, or carrots, to make this dish even heartier.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Storing & Reheating Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead and reheated on the stovetop or in the oven.
Freezing Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with crumbled tempeh or lentils.
- Best substitution: Use canned diced tomatoes with green chiles for a spicy twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the potatoes and cook the ground beef ahead of time. Combine and cook the sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your potatoes are sticking to the skillet, add a little more oil and scrape them up with a spatula.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Sloppy Joe sauce — A rich, tangy flavor that makes this dish truly special → Check price on Amazon
Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Russet potatoes
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Canned tomatoes
- Sloppy Joe sauce
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Green onions
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Prepare the potatoes: Cut potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook the potatoes: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until crispy and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
- Cook the ground beef: Remove potatoes from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, cook ground beef with onion and bell pepper until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Make the Sloppy Joe sauce: Add canned tomatoes, Sloppy Joe sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Combine and serve: Return potatoes to the skillet and stir to combine with the Sloppy Joe sauce. Serve hot, topped with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with crumbled tempeh or lentils.
- Best substitution: Use canned diced tomatoes with green chiles for a spicy twist.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the potatoes and cook the ground beef ahead of time. Combine and cook the sauce just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your potatoes are sticking to the skillet, add a little more oil and scrape them up with a spatula.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated on the stovetop or in the oven.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 24g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the potatoes and cook the ground beef ahead of time. Combine and cook the sauce just before serving.
If your sauce is too thick, add a little water or beef broth to thin it out. You can also add more canned tomatoes or tomato sauce.
No, frozen potatoes will not achieve the same crispy texture as fresh potatoes. Thawing them first may also cause them to become watery.
Serve this dish with a side of green beans, a simple salad, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Serve the potatoes and sauce separately, allowing kids to mix their own portions. You can also add their favorite vegetables to the skillet.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet – Cozy Comfort Food and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
