Smoky Sloppy Joes
Yield: About 12 servings
Cook Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (2 hours is for simmering)
Tips: Any variety of cooked smoked sausage will do, including turkey, chicken, pork and beef. You can even use cheese-stuffed sausages if you like. Hot dog buns or soft sandwich buns may be used instead of hamburger buns. Alternatively, the meat mixture can be served over spaghetti noodles.
Sloppy Joes have some great redeeming qualities. They're easy to make, they satisfy big hunger, are enjoyed by all ages, and they serve a small crowd without making a big dent in your wallet. It's nice to know there are actually quite a few ways to prepare Sloppy Joes. This Smoky Sloppy Joes recipe offers a great twist from
traditional sloppy joes recipes. The "smoky" portion of this recipe is provided by the smoky sausage links. To make these sandwiches, ground beef is browned with some chopped onions, then combined with slices of cooked smoky sausage links. (You can use any variety of smoked sausage, including beef, pork, turkey or chicken. Cheese-stuffed smoky sausage can also be used if you'd like to add a little cheesy flavor.) The beef and sausage mixture is then simmered for a couple hours in a very tasty full-flavored sauce made wth canned tomatoes and tomato paste, seasoned with chili powder, a bay leaf and some salt and pepper. This recipe takes very little effort. All you need is a couple hours on the stove to allow the flavors to simmer and mingle. This dish can also be served over spaghetti noodles. Serve this with potato salad or coleslaw, a green leafy salad and/or corn on the cob, and you've got a great-tasting dish that all ages will enjoy!
Recipe▼
Ingredients
- 1 12-oz. package cooked smoked link sausages
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 14.5-lb. can tomatoes
- 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 dozen hamburger buns
Directions
Cut sausages into bite-size slices. Brown beef in deep skillet or large saucepan and stir with a fork until bronwed and crumbly. Add chopped onion and cook until tender, stirring frequently (about 5-7 minutes). Add sliced sausages, tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Remove bay leaf. Serve on buns (soft or toasted), allowing about 1/4 cup (or more for heftier servings) filling for each sandwich.
