These sloppy joe bowls are loaded with crispy seasoned potatoes, saucy ground beef, and melted cheese. The potatoes get golden in the air fryer, then everything comes together in one loaded, comforting bowl that’s easy to make for a weeknight dinner and way more satisfying than a basic sloppy joe sandwich.
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Why I Love These Viral Sloppy Joe Bowls
I’ve been really into loaded bowls lately, from my Beef Broth Bowls to my Sweet Potato Taco Bowl, so when I saw this viral loaded sloppy joe bowl from thecookingmidwest, I knew I had to give it a try. I grew up eating sloppy joes and always really liked them, so turning it into a loaded bowl with crispy potatoes and melted cheese was right up my alley.
What I like most about this version is the crispy potatoes add more texture than a regular sloppy joe sandwich. They soak up some of that sweet, tangy beef sauce while still keeping crispy edges, and then then melted cheese pulls everything together into one really satisfying bowl.
I also love how good these sloppy joe bowls are for meal prep. I like to keep the crispy potatoes and sloppy joe beef in separate containers, then reheat and add the cheese right before serving so the potatoes keep more of their texture.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the potatoes:
- 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1-2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the sloppy joe beef:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
For topping:
- 1 and ½ cups shredded cheese, Colby jack, mozzarella, cheddar, or a mix
- Dried parsley
How to Make Sloppy Joe Bowls
Step 1: Air Fry the Potatoes
Peel and cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated. Air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times, until the potatoes are golden and crispy.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
While the potatoes cook, add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed. Stir in the salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, and garlic. Cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Step 3: Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce
Add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, and BBQ sauce. Stir until everything is well combined, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
Step 4: Add the Potatoes and Cheese
Gently fold the crispy potatoes into the sloppy joe beef until evenly coated. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Put the pan in the oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve
Finish with dried parsley and serve the sloppy joe bowls hot. I like to eat mine out of a deep bowl; I usually have two servings and then save the rest for during the week.
My Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Potato Bowls
- Cut the potatoes evenly. Keeping the cubes about the same size helps them cook at the same rate so you don’t end up with some burnt pieces and some undercooked ones.
- Give the potatoes enough room in the air fryer. If the basket is overcrowded, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Cook them in batches if needed for the best golden edges.
- Let the sloppy joe sauce reduce before adding the potatoes. You want the beef mixture thick and saucy, not runny. A loose sauce will soften the crispy potatoes too quickly.
- Fold the potatoes in gently. Stir just enough to coat them in the sloppy joe mixture so they keep some of their crisp texture instead of breaking apart.
- Use an oven-safe skillet. Since the cheese gets broiled at the end, starting with an oven-safe pan makes the whole recipe easier and saves you from transferring everything to another dish.
- Watch the broiler closely. The cheese can go from perfectly bubbly to burnt fast. Stay near the oven and pull the skillet as soon as the cheese is fully melted with a few golden spots.
- Serve right away. These bowls are best while the potatoes are still crisp and the cheese is hot and melty. The longer they sit in the sauce, the softer the potatoes become.
How to Store Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet
- In the refrigerator. For the best texture, store the sloppy joe beef and crispy potatoes in separate airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Keeping them separate prevents the potatoes from soaking up the sauce and getting soft.
- For meal prep. Portion the beef and potatoes into separate containers, then combine them after reheating. Add the cheese while everything is hot so it melts without needing to broil each individual serving.
- To reheat. Reheat the sloppy joe beef in a skillet or microwave until hot. I like reheating the potatoes in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes so they crisp back up, then assembling the bowl and adding the cheese.
Sloppy Joe Bowls FAQs
What is a sloppy joe bowl?
A sloppy joe bowl takes the saucy ground beef filling from a classic sloppy joe and serves it with potatoes and toppings instead of on a bun. This version combines crispy air-fried potatoes, homemade sloppy joe beef, and melted cheese for a loaded comfort-food bowl.
Can I make sloppy joe bowls without an air fryer?
Yes. Roast the seasoned potato cubes on a baking sheet at 425°F until golden and crispy, flipping them partway through cooking. The exact cooking time will depend on how large you cut the potatoes.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead?
Absolutely. Sweet potatoes work well with the sweet and savory sloppy joe sauce. Cut them into evenly sized cubes and cook them until browned and crisp before adding them to the beef.
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef if you prefer. Since they’re typically leaner, you may want to add a small amount of oil to the skillet while cooking so the meat doesn’t dry out.
What cheese is best for sloppy joe bowls?
Cheddar and Colby Jack are my favorites because they melt well and pair perfectly with sloppy joe flavors. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a shredded cheese blend will also work.
Why did my potatoes get soggy?
The potatoes can soften if the sloppy joe mixture is too liquidy or if they sit in the sauce too long. Let the beef sauce thicken before adding the potatoes and serve the bowls soon after combining everything.
What other toppings can I add?
Pickles, diced red onion, jalapeños, green onions, sour cream, or extra BBQ sauce would all work well. You can also add chopped bacon if you want an even more loaded version.
More Loaded Bowls to Try Next
Sloppy Joe Bowls
These sloppy joe bowls are loaded with crispy seasoned potatoes, saucy ground beef, and melted cheese. The potatoes get golden in the air fryer, then everything comes together in one loaded, comforting bowl that’s easy to make for a weeknight dinner and way more satisfying than a basic sloppy joe sandwich.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 5 small to medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1-2 tbsps. Olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
Sloppy Joe Beef
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1–2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoon BBQ sauce
Topping
- 1½ cups cheese, shredded (Colby Jack, mozzarella, cheddar, whatever cheese you want)
- Dried parsley
Instructions
1. Peel and cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Toss with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
2. Air fry the potatoes at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during cooking, until golden brown and crispy.
3. While the potatoes cook, add the ground beef and chopped onion to a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion has softened, breaking the beef apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if needed.
4. Season with salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce is thick and flavorful.
6. Add the crispy potatoes to the sloppy joe mixture and gently stir until everything is combined.
7. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Place the oven-safe skillet in the oven under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Finish with dried parsley and serve hot.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 961Total Fat: 51gSaturated Fat: 25gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 196mgSodium: 1540mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 8gSugar: 12gProtein: 60g
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