Sloppy Joes + Pizza = Love at First Bite

A no-fuss meal that's fun to eat!
A no-fuss meal that's fun to eat!

In my child's eyes, the sloppier the meal, the tastier it is. Of course, all that does is make me cringe and clutch a roll of paper towels. Pizza Sloppy Joes are one of our family favorites. The best thing about this recipe is that I can make it in a slow cooker in just a few simple steps. Plus, by using lean ground turkey and whole wheat buns, it's a great way to sneak in a healthy meal with lots of flavor. Packed with all the favorite flavors of pizza but sandwiched into a bun, Pizza Sloppy Joes are an easy weeknight meal.

Slow-Cooker Pizza Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound mild Italian sausage, removed from casings
1/2 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
6 hamburger buns

Related: 25 ways to enjoy some homemade pizza today

Directions

1. In a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Pour the onions into the slow cooker. Increase the heat to the pan to medium-high and add turkey and sausage. Sauté until the ground turkey and sausage is browned; add to the onions.

2. Pour marinara sauce and parmesan cheese into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

3. To serve: spoon mixture onto the bottom slice of a hamburger bun, top with a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella, then top with the remaining bun.

-By Meredith Steele

For 30+ recipes that let the slow-cooker do the hard work, visit Spoonful!

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