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Childhood Favorite – Best Sloppy Joe’s

We’ve all had those favorite dishes when we were a kid. For me growing up they were Sloppy Joe’s, Spaghetti with meat sauce, and Dreamsicles. As an adult when I get the occasional craving for those I’ll make them at home.

I first fell in love with Sloppy Joe’s in elementary school. You’re probably thinking, “school food, yuck!” Yet, it took me years to find Sloppy Joe’s as good, until I discovered a recipe from a past co-worker.

Karen Page & I worked as instructors at Viking Culinary Arts Center. She created a charity cookbook with recipes from family, friends, and cooking classes she attended over the years. When I saw the recipe titled “Grandma’s Sloppy Joe’s I knew I had to give it a try. My first thought was the recipe had too many onions, and I wasn’t sure about the addition of celery. Karen claimed to have tried numerous mixes over the years, but none compared to her grandmothers recipe.

Thinking back on Sloppy Joe’s as a kid, I favored those over burgers because they were easier to eat. Ground beef mixed with a sweet tomato gravy on a soft bun, melted in my mouth. Who could resist? As a child it was challenging to bite into a thick burger.

Basically Sloppy Joe’s is a hamburger chopped up with all the typical burger ingredients cooked together. Once cooked it creates a luscious mound of succulent meat that drips off your bun and oftentimes down your chin! It brings me right back to my childhood, when days were carefree. Remember those?

What’s your favorite childhood dish?

If you have a favorite Sloppy Joe recipe please share it in the comments below, I’d love to try it.

Overall I practice healthy eating habits, but don’t claim a specific type of eating style. The bulk of what I eat is super healthy, and fresh sustainable ingredients. Occasionally when the urge strikes I will give in to temptation.

After all, we’re entitled to allow ourselves the right to indulge from time to time – right?