There are times when it’s not just about saving money, but also about convenience and using what you have available. This recipe was perfect for one of those times.

As usual, we flew in from soccer, kids were starving, I was scrambling and then it hit me, sloppy joe. I’ve made my own before and they were great. This time, though, I didn’t even have any buns. Oh, who cares. These will be Homestyle Sloppy Joes. Buns are just bread, so what’s the difference. And guess what. No one even cared. The kiddos were happy and their tummy’s were full. Another great meal for under $10 bucks!

Homestyle Sloppy Joes:

1 to 1.5 lbs Ground Beef (80/20 fat ratio) – $3.09
1 medium onion, finely diced – $.35
1 can petite diced tomato (14 oz) – $.65
1 small can tomato sauce – $.25
1/4 cup ketchup – fridge/pantry
2 Tbsp Worcester Sauce – pantry
1 Tbsp brown sugar (start with one and adjust to taste) – pantry
1 Tbsp paprika – pantry
1 tsp red chili powder – pantry
1 tsp Garlic Powder – pantry
1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper – pantry
1/2 tsp Salt – pantry
buns or bread (we used bread) – $1.00

COST: $5.34

In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown hamburger. When meat is half cooked, add in brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper and cook till meat is fully done and browned.

With pan turned down to medium heat, add onion and Worcestershire sauce to meat and cook for 5 minutes. Next, add diced tomato, tomato sauce and ketchup. Stir and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 10 more minutes, uncovered.

Serve on hamburger buns, sandwich buns or even regular sandwich bread. If you slightly toast the bread, it won’t get all soggy. Nothing worse than a soggy sloppy joe.

We served our sandwiches with an awesome pepperoni pasta salad. A great combination!

Pepperoni Pasta Salad:

10 oz uncooked fusilli or rigatoni pasta – $.75
1/2 cup bottled Italian dressing – $1.00
2 fresh roma tomato, diced – $.50
1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded – $.75
1 med onion, sliced – $.35
3/4 cup sliced pepperoni, cut in half or quarters – $1.50
1/2 tsp. oregano (dried is fine) – pantry
1 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper – pantry
1/2 tsp Salt – pantry

COST: $4.85

Cook pasta according to package. Drain well. While pasta is still hot, add pepperoni, onion, dressing, oregano, salt and pepper and toss. Then set aside to cool. When pasta is at room temp, add tomatoes and mozzarella. Toss well, cover and chill.

You can make this pasta a day in advance. It just gets better the longer it sits. So good with many different sandwiches, but perfect with Homestyle Sloppy Joe. Enjoy!

GRAND TOTAL: $10.19 (I’m a little over on this one. Anyone got $.19 cents I can borrow?)