• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
To Simply Inspire
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Main Dishes
  • Desserts
  • On the Lighter Side Recipes
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups and Stews
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • By Course
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Pizza Joes Recipe

    Published: Mar 1, 2024 · Modified: Apr 27, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    36 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    Pizza sloppy joes on a metal tray.

    Tuck your napkins into your shirt and dig into the best pizza Joes recipe! This cheesy twist on traditional sloppy joes is a fun way to serve a favorite easy dinner!

    Need more sandwich and slider ideas to serve on game day? Or are you looking for something quick and easy to feed hungry kids on busy weeknights? Check out these easy French dip sliders, this roasted portobello mushroom sandwich, and sloppy joe sliders.

    A tray with pizza sloppy joe sandwich on it.

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email below and we’ll send you this recipe so you can come back to it any time! (as well as our new recipes weekly!)

    Single Post Emails

    Jump to:
    • Slow Cooker Pizza Joes 
    • Ingredients/shopping list
    • Variations/ Substitutions
    • How to Make this Sloppy Joes Recipe
    • Tips
    • Storing Leftovers
    • FAQ’s
    • Pizza Sloppy Joes Recipe

    Slow Cooker Pizza Joes 

    This sloppy joes recipe is a fun twist on the traditional sloppy joes but we’re adding a bit of pizza pizzaz! And they’re still as sloppy as ever. We’re combining our family’s favorite sloppy joes with everyone’s favorite pizza toppings and serving it on a bun for a quick and easy meal the whole family will want to sink their teeth into!

    It’s a beefy, saucy, cheesy filling sandwiched between buttery buns and topped with extra mozzarella, pepperoni, and green bell pepper. It’s simply the best! 

    All it takes is to brown the meat and toss it into the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients to cook low and slow. Then just before serving, you’ll add the mozzarella to melt and dinner is served.

    You’ll love how customizable it is too. Just like pizza, you can pick and choose what toppings you add to the meat mixture. Make it lighter by using ground turkey or add some spice with red pepper flakes. You can also set out some extra toppings for people to pick and choose how to dress theirs up. Whatever you do, make sure to make lots of filling. Serve some, freeze some, and then put the rest in the fridge for leftovers throughout the week! 

    Two pizza sloppy joe sliders on a metal tray.

    Ingredients/shopping list

    Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll down to the full recipe card with amounts

    ingredients for pizza sloppy joes - italian sausage, ground beef, green bell pepper, diced onion, spaghetti sauce, minced garlic, mozzarella cheese, brioche buns and pepperoni.
    • Two kinds of meat – I use extra lean ground beef, 90% or higher combined with Italian sausage. I love this combination of flavorful meat without a ton of the excess grease.
    • Veggies and aromatics – Diced onion, green pepper, and minced garlic cook down and become tender and caramelized and super flavorful.
    • Spaghetti sauce – Use your favorite spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce, whether homemade or picked up from the grocery store.  
    • Pepperoni – The same kind you’d find on a pepperoni pizza! If you want to use mini pepperoni, that would be fun too.
    • Buns – Toasting them are what holds all of that yummy beef mixture in these sloppy joe pizza burgers. Brioche buns, slider buns, or regular hamburger buns will do.
    • Mozzarella cheese –  Traditionally found on pizza, slices of mozzarella cheese melted on top drive home the fact that this is not your average sloppy joe!  You can also use shredded mozzarella if you’d like.

    Variations/ Substitutions

    This is such an easy recipe to customize to your liking!

    1. Use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the ground beef. 
    2. You can also use turkey sausage instead of Italian sausage.
    3. For some heat, not only can you add red pepper flakes to the filling, but you can choose to use hot Italian sausage if you want.
    4. Turkey pepperoni also makes a great substitute for regular pepperoni.
    5. Toss in more of your favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms and black olives. 
    6. For a little extra Italian-inspired flavor, sprinkle some Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese in there. 

    How to Make this Sloppy Joes Recipe

    This easy recipe is basically a dump-and-set recipe that will have your house smelling all kinds of wonderful!

    Here’s how it’s done:

    A crock pot filled ingredients for pizza sloppy joe meat mixture.

    Step 1: Brown the sausage and beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the grease and add the cooked meat to the bottom of the slow cooker. 

    Step 2: Add the onion, pepper, garlic, spaghetti sauce, and pepperoni. Mix to combine everything. 

    A crock pot filled with pizza sloppy joe meat mixture.

    Step 3: Cover with the lid and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Just before serving, layer 4 slices of mozzarella cheese overtop the meat mixture. Put the lid back on and allow it to melt into the mixture. 

    A wooden spoon is being used to scoop up a pizza sloppy joe meat mixture.

    Step 4: To serve, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on the bottom bun. Spoon the meat on top and add another slice of cheese and extra pepperoni if you’d like. Enjoy!

    A person holding a pizza sloppy joe sandwich.

    Tips

    • Toasting the buns is optional, but so good! You can toast them in the oven, a toaster oven, or use a grill. 
    • ​Serve with a side salad, some veggies, potato chips, or a pickle spear. 
    • Turn these into easy entertaining make-ahead apps by storing the beef in the fridge overnight and putting together some sliders just before your get-together!

    Storing Leftovers

    Refrigerate: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This is a great idea for quick lunches and when you need an easy dinner idea you can heat up and get dinner on the table quickly.  

    Freeze: To freeze the filling, allow it to cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

    FAQ’s

    Are pizza joes as sweet as regular sloppy joe sandwiches?

    ​This recipe doesn’t contain any brown sugar or ketchup for that added sweetness, so it’s a bit more savory than your average Joe 😉

    ​Why is my bun soggy?


    As with any sloppy joes recipe, the filling is quite saucy. This is partly why we add a layer of mozzarella on the bottom bun so that it creates a barrier. If your bun is super fresh and soft, it’ll absorb the sauce rather quickly, so I recommend toasting it first.

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram!

    Two pizza sloppy joe sliders on a metal tray.

    Pizza Sloppy Joes Recipe

    Tuck your napkins into your shirt and dig into the best pizza Joes recipe! This cheesy twist on traditional sloppy joes is a fun way to serve a favorite easy dinner!
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Share Rate
    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 651kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground beef 90% or leaner
    • 1 pound Italian sausage
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 1 green bell pepper diced
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 24 ounces spaghetti sauce 1 jar
    • 6 ounces pepperoni diced
    • 8 buns
    • 12 slices mozzarella cheese

    Instructions

    • In a medium skillet, add the ground beef and sausage and brown over medium-high heat
      1 pound ground beef, 1 pound Italian sausage
    • Then drain and add the meat mixture to the bottom to the slow cooker.
    • Add the diced onion, bell pepper, garlic, spaghetti sauce and pepperoni and stir to mix thoroughly.
      1 small onion, 1 green bell pepper, 2 garlic cloves, 24 ounces spaghetti sauce, 6 ounces pepperoni
    • Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
    • Just before serving, add 4 slices of mozzarella cheese, place the top back on until it melts and stir it into the mixture.
      12 slices mozzarella cheese
    • When serving in the bun, place another slice of mozzarella on the bottom of each bun and spoon the sloppy joe mixture on top.
      8 buns
    • Then, add another slice of mozzarella and more pepperoni if you’d like.

    Notes

    Use ground turkey or ground chicken. 
    Use turkey sausage.
    Use any favorite spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce for more tangy sauce.
    Add your favorite pizza toppings to the slow cooker like mushrooms and black olives!
    Use brioche buns, sliders or regular buns.
    Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    Freeze the meat mixture for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 651kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 1612mg | Potassium: 770mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 675IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 315mg | Iron: 5mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    More Main Dishes

    • A close-up of a serving of cheesy baked Johnny Marzetti recipe with ground meat and tomato sauce being lifted from a casserole dish.
      Johnny Marzetti Recipe
    • A wooden spoon lifts shredded birria in a thick, red sauce from a slow cooker, garnished with chopped herbs.
      Birria Recipe
    • A cast iron skillet filled with cajun shrimp and rice garnished with parsley.
      Cajun Shrimp and Rice
    • A plate of glazed hot honey chicken wings garnished with herbs, served with a small bowl of honey with a wooden spoon.
      Hot Honey Chicken Wings

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • White bowl full of Egg Fried Rice with fork inserted.
      Egg Fried Rice

    • White skillet with tuscan chicken recipe with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach in a creamy sauce.
      Tuscan Chicken

    • four breaded chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices
      Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken

    • Butter Steak Bites and Potatoes
      Butter Steak Bites with Garlic Herb Potatoes

    • skillet full of creamy chicken with mushroom sauce topped with parsley.
      Chicken with Mushroom Sauce

    • bowl full of fresh cucumber slices, imitaion crab meat, and avocado with spicy mayo drizzles and topped with sesame seeds
      California Roll in a Bowl

    Popular Recipes

    • slice of coffee cake on a white plate
      Best Easy Coffee Cake

    • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe in a silver serving bowl
      Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

    • closeup of several crispy chicken wings on white parchment paper.
      Oven Baked Chicken Wings

    • White bowl full of fresh mango salsa topped with cilantro and red onion.
      Mango Salsa

    • black bowl with cottage cheese dip with a carrot and celery
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip

    • closeup of shrimp corn chowder in a white bowl with spoon in it.
      Shrimp Corn Chowder

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    List of publications that have featured Tosimplyinspire.com. woman's day, southern living, delish, parade, Forbes, prevention, and parade.

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    Copyright © 2025 To Simply Inspire
    Discloure Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
    To Simply Inspire is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
    designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.