Pizza Sloppy Joes with Melty Cheese and Tangy Tomato Sauce

Pizza Sloppy Joes will quickly become your family’s favorite weeknight meal.

Seasoned Italian sausage crumbles simmered in marinara with sautéed mushrooms, onions, green peppers and pepperoni, then topped with melty mozzarella and served on a toasted bun. Think of your favorite pizza flavors, but served Sloppy Joe style—easy, cheesy, and comforting.

I’ll admit I’ve never been a fan of traditional sloppy joes—the canned versions can taste flat and overly sweet—but my whole family loves pizza. Combining those familiar pizza flavors with the ease of a sandwich gave us a new go-to dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.

This is also one of the simplest weeknight dinners to make:

• Brown bulk Italian sausage.
• Add diced onion, green pepper, and sliced mushrooms and cook until tender-crisp.
• Stir in quartered pepperoni and your favorite marinara or red sauce.
• Spoon the mixture onto toasted buns and top with mozzarella.

It’s similar in spirit to my popular Italian sausage sandwich recipes—saucy, cheesy, and satisfying—but this version leans fully into pizza toppings and flavor.

How to make Pizza Sloppy Joes

Start by browning 1 pound of bulk Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. When the sausage is almost cooked through, add about 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 1 cup sliced mushrooms.

Continue cooking until the sausage reaches 165°F and the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5 more minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary, then add about 16 ounces (roughly 2 cups) of marinara or red sauce and stir to combine. Heat the sauce through.

For assembly, place the open bun halves, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. Spoon the saucy sausage mixture onto the bun bottoms, top with mozzarella slices (or shredded mozzarella), and broil 2–4 minutes until the cheese melts and the bun tops are lightly toasted. Close the sandwiches and enjoy.

How to customize your Pizza Sloppy Joes

• Swap or add favorite pizza toppings: bacon, olives, ham, mushrooms, or peppers.
• If you don’t have Italian sausage, use ground pork or beef and add Italian seasoning to taste.
• Double the recipe to feed a crowd or to have leftovers; it scales easily.

If you enjoyed this recipe, try other family-friendly sandwiches and meatball recipes for more easy dinners.

I love hearing from readers—questions, comments, and reviews are always welcome. Save this recipe for later and enjoy!