Mom's Sloppy Joes

Did you eat sloppy joes as a kid? I did....a lot.

Maybe it's because they are so child friendly, economical and unbelievably easy to make. Or maybe it's just because they are fun. Whatever the reason sloppy joes are always a crowd pleaser and moms seem to love to make them.

My mom always made our sloppy joes from scratch. The smell of them was intoxicating and because they needed to simmer on the stove for awhile, I learned how to sneak a bite right out of the pot when no one was looking.

It wasn't until I was a teenager that I learned of the sloppy joe sauce in a can. You know the one I'm talking about. The whole concept seemed weird and alien to me especially with how easy the homemade version was.

Now I make these every couple of weeks for my own kids. They love them and can never get enough. In fact it won't be long before I have to start doubling the recipe to feed growing teenagers!

Mom's Sloppy Joes

1 lb. ground beef
1 med. onion chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbls. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbls Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbls. yellow mustard
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1 cup ketchup

In a med. saucepot (the one I use is around 3 qt.), brown the ground beef and onion. Be sure to break up the ground beef into small pieces while cooking. Carefully drain off any liquid when done.

Add remaining ingredients to ground beef mixture in saucepot. Stir well to combine.

Cover and simmer on low for 30-45 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Serve on your favorite hamburger bun.


For more great recipes visit Full Plate Thursday, Recipe Sharing Monday, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Hearth and Soul, Totally Tasty Tuesday and Create Link Inspire.

Taco Pasta Salad

I've had summer on my mind lately and with all the snow we've been getting, who could blame me.

Thinking of summer got me thinking about summer-y foods and pasta salad is right up there at the top of the list. The only thing better may be anything off the grill.

Of course I love tacos too and while I was enjoying them last night I was reminded of a pasta recipe I hadn't made in a few years. I wondered if I could find it.

Amazingly I did find it and it was just as yummy as I remembered. And the reminder that summer would be here eventually didn't hurt either.

Taco Pasta Salad

2 cups uncooked spiral pasta
1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
3 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups halved grape tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup Catalina salad dressing
Tortilla chips

Cook pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add taco seasoning according to package directions. Set aside to cool.
Drain pasta and rinse in cold water.
In a large bowl, stir together pasta and ground beef. Add the lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, olives and dressing; toss to coat. Serve with tortilla chips.


I've also substituted kidney beans for the ground beef for a fun salad.