Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese

This easy recipe takes everything you love about Sloppy Joes and turns it into a weeknight-friendly pasta dish.


SERVINGS

2

PREP TIME

25 min

Ingredients

  • 2
    cups dry rotini (or any spiral-shaped pasta)
  • 1
    tablespoon vegetable oil
  • ¾
    cup diced onion
  • 1
    medium green bell pepper, diced (about ½ cup)
  • 2
    cloves garlic, minced
  • ½
    pound ground beef
  • 1
    cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

For the sauce

  • ¾
    cup tomato sauce
  • 2
    tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1
    tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2
    teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½
    teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼
    teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. 1

    For the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the sauce and set aside.

  2. 2

    For the pasta and the remainder of the dish:Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.

  3. 3

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat up the vegetable oil. Add the onion, green bell pepper and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes.

  4. 4

    Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it up with your spatula or wooden spoon. Cook until ground beef is thoroughly cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.

  5. 5

    Add the sauce to the skillet, then add the pasta (drained of excess water). Add the cheese on top. Turn the heat down to medium-low and toss the mixture until the cheese has melted and the ingredients are evenly coated and distributed throughout. Serve warm.

Recipe source: Taste and Tell