If you love cozy comfort food that brings a fun and flavorful twist to classic favorites, you are in for a real treat with the Best Sloppy Joe Fries Recipe. This dish combines crispy, golden French fries with a hearty, tangy, and savory sloppy joe meat sauce, all topped with melted cheddar cheese for gooey deliciousness. It’s the perfect way to elevate simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal that’s as satisfying as it is addictive. Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or just craving a tasty snack with a punch, these sloppy joe fries will have you coming back for more every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these straightforward yet essential ingredients is the first step toward making this dish shine. Each element adds its unique touch—from the crispy texture of the fries to the rich depth in the beef mixture and that final cheesy finish that pulls it all together.
- 1 pound frozen French fries: Choose your favorite style, like crinkle-cut for extra crunch or waffle fries for more surface area to hold the toppings.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Adds a subtle richness when cooking the beef and softening the onions, providing flavor without overpowering the dish.
- 1 pound ground beef: The savory base for the sloppy joe sauce; lean or regular works, just drain excess fat for less grease.
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped: Brings sweetness and texture to balance the tangy sauce perfectly.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Adds aromatic depth and a gentle bite that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- ¾ cup ketchup: The heart of the sauce, providing that classic sloppy joe sweetness and tang.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste: Intensifies that rich tomato flavor and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami and a subtle tang that adds complexity.
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard: Brightens and sharpens the sauce with a mild punch.
- ½ teaspoon chili powder: Adds a hint of smoky warmth without overwhelming the dish.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the sauce and fries.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Provides a touch of spicy heat to balance the sweetness.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Melts perfectly over the top, creating a gooey, irresistible finish.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional): A fresh green garnish that adds color and a mild herbal note.
How to Make Best Sloppy Joe Fries Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Fries
Start by cooking your frozen French fries according to the package instructions until they are golden and crispy. Getting these fries perfectly cooked is a non-negotiable foundation for this recipe — you want that satisfying crunch as the base for your flavorful sloppy joe topping.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
While the fries are baking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is nicely browned and no longer pink. For a leaner result, drain any excess fat before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
To the browned beef, add the finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic. Cook them together for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions turn translucent and soft, infusing the meat with subtle sweetness and depth.
Step 4: Create the Sloppy Joe Sauce
Now it’s time to mix in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well so the sauce evenly coats the meat. Let this simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors blend into a rich, tangy, and slightly smoky sloppy joe mixture.
Step 5: Assemble and Melt the Cheese
Once the fries are done, spread them out on a large serving platter or keep them on the baking sheet for extra crispness. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture over the fries generously, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. Pop the whole thing back into the oven for just 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese melts into warm, gooey perfection.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
After melting the cheese, finish by sprinkling with chopped fresh parsley if you like a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately while everything is wonderfully warm and melty.
How to Serve Best Sloppy Joe Fries Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a lovely burst of green that brightens up the dish visually and adds a subtle fresh note. You can also add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce if you like a spicy kick alongside the warm richness of the sloppy joe sauce.
Side Dishes
These fries are often hearty enough to enjoy on their own, but serving them with a crisp side salad or some crunchy pickles can balance the richness. A tangy coleslaw also makes a nice refreshing counterpoint to the meat and cheese.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your sloppy joe fries in individual small cast-iron skillets or mini baking dishes—perfect for parties or game-day gatherings. Layering the sloppy joe mixture between two layers of fries can add extra texture and makes for a dramatic presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover sloppy joe fries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the fries from becoming too soggy, consider storing the fries and meat mixture separately and combining them when reheating.
Freezing
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the sloppy joe meat mixture separately for up to 3 months. When you want to enjoy it again, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently before topping freshly cooked fries.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, spread the fries and meat mixture on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through and fries regain some crispness. Finish with a sprinkle of cheese and return to the oven to melt before serving.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works wonderfully and makes the dish a little lighter while still delivering plenty of flavor when combined with the sauce ingredients.
What type of cheese works best?
Cheddar is classic for this recipe, but you can also use Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a spicy pepper jack for a fun variation. Just pick a cheese that melts well and complements the sloppy joe flavor.
How can I make these fries spicier?
Add diced jalapeños into the sloppy joe mixture or sprinkle some cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the meat sauce for an extra kick that balances the savory and cheesy components.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or cooked lentils for a satisfying vegetarian option that still captures the signature sloppy joe flavor.
What’s the best way to keep fries crispy under the toppings?
Use thick-cut fries like crinkle or waffle fries which hold up well, and bake them until golden before adding your topping. Waiting until the final step to melt the cheese in the oven helps keep the fries crisp.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend diving into the Best Sloppy Joe Fries Recipe enough—it’s the kind of dish that combines simplicity with indulgence in a perfect dance. Whether you’re serving it for a casual weeknight dinner, game day snack, or sharing it with friends, this recipe never fails to impress. Give it a try and watch how it quickly becomes one of your favorite go-to comfort foods that’s bursting with flavor, cheesy goodness, and pure joy in every bite.
Print
Best Sloppy Joe Fries Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Enjoy a delicious twist on classic sloppy joes with these cheesy, loaded sloppy joe fries. Crispy baked French fries are topped with a savory, rich ground beef mixture and melted cheddar cheese, making for the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Fries
- 1 pound frozen French fries
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Fries: Preheat your oven and cook the frozen French fries according to the package instructions until they are golden and crispy. This typically involves baking them on a baking sheet in the oven.
- Prepare the Sloppy Joe Mixture: While the fries are baking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Stir in the finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic. Cook these together for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the onions soften and become translucent, bringing out their sweet flavors.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Incorporate the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, salt, and black pepper into the beef mixture. Stir well to evenly combine all ingredients, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes to thicken and develop flavor.
- Assemble the Dish: Once the fries are done baking, transfer them onto a serving platter or leave them on the baking sheet if oven-safe. Spoon the hot sloppy joe meat mixture evenly over the fries.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the sloppy joe-topped fries. Place the entire dish back into the oven for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your loaded sloppy joe fries right away.
Notes
- For extra texture, use crinkle-cut or waffle fries instead of regular fries.
- Can substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian-friendly option.
- Add sliced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sloppy joe mixture for a spicy kick.
- Make sure to drain excess fat after browning the beef to prevent greasy fries.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
