Description
Transform a classic sloppy joe into a spooky Halloween treat with these fun and festive Sloppy Joe Monsters. Perfect for Halloween parties or a themed family dinner, these sandwiches are made with a savory homemade sloppy joe filling and decorated with cheese “teeth” and olive “eyes.”
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sloppy Joes:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Slider or full-sized buns for serving
For the Monster Decorations:
- Sliced cheese (sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
- Pimento-stuffed olives
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Cook the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and minced onion until the beef is browned and the onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off excess grease.
- Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Monster Decorations:
- While the sloppy joe filling simmers, cut the cheese slices into jagged, pointy shapes to resemble monster teeth.
- Stick a toothpick into two pimento-stuffed olive slices to create the monster’s eyes.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joe Monsters:
- Pile the sloppy joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun.
- Lay a slice of jagged cheese on top, letting the “teeth” hang off the side of the sandwich.
- Place the top half of the bun over the cheese, then insert the olive “eyes” on top of the bun with the toothpicks.
- Serve:
- Serve the Sloppy Joe Monsters immediately and enjoy! These can be made with full-sized or slider buns, depending on your preference.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to suit your taste for sweetness.
- If you’re making these for a party, consider using slider buns for easier handling and more fun presentation.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with lentils or a plant-based meat substitute.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg