Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
Love Sloppy Joes but want a heartier, more satisfying meal? This Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet is the answer! After making this many times, I discovered the secret to perfectly crispy potatoes and a rich, tangy sauce that’ll make your family beg for seconds. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Garlic Butter One-Pan Meatballs and Potatoes and Lemon Raspberry Bars.
Why This Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet Is Pure Comfort
- One-pan, easy cleanup
- Perfect for meal prepping
- Kid-friendly and customizable
What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Ground beef
- Potatoes
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Canned tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Optional: Shredded cheese
- Optional: Sour cream
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Cilantro
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy potatoes. → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures your ground beef is cooked to a safe temperature. → See on Amazon
How to Make Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
- Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook diced potatoes until crispy and golden. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, cook diced onion and bell pepper until softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Step 4: Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Add cooked ground beef and potatoes back to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking the potatoes. Cook them in batches if necessary to ensure they crisp up properly.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe even heartier, add some cooked beans or corn to the skillet.
Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
Freezing Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with crumbled tempeh or lentils.
- Best substitution: No ketchup? You can substitute it with tomato paste and a splash of vinegar.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water or beef broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality ketchup — A good-quality ketchup makes all the difference in this recipe. → Check price on Amazon
Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Potatoes
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Canned tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Green onions
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook diced potatoes until crispy and golden. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, cook diced onion and bell pepper until softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Step 4: Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Add cooked ground beef and potatoes back to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with crumbled tempeh or lentils.
- Best substitution: No ketchup? You can substitute it with tomato paste and a splash of vinegar.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little bit of water or beef broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 60g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet FAQs
Yes, this recipe can be made ahead and reheated for a quick and easy meal. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If your skillet is too crowded, the potatoes may not crisp up properly and the sauce may reduce too much, leading to a dry dish. Try cooking the potatoes in batches and adding a little bit of water or beef broth to the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Yes, you can make this recipe in the oven. Simply combine all the ingredients in a baking dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
The best way to reheat this dish is in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. This will help to crisp up the potatoes and warm the sauce evenly. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but the texture may not be as crispy.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions of this recipe for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet 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!
