53 Leftover Sloppy Joe Recipes (2024)

Sloppy Joes are one of my favorite go-to meals. I find them easy to whip up when I’m on a time crunch and I can serve them on buns or bread. Whether I make it as one of my ‘big’ meals with potatoes, corn, fruit, and additional sides or I just serve a sloppy joe sandwich up with chips, it’s a meal that everyone enjoys.

Why You Should Reuse Leftover Sloppy Joe Meat

When my husband and I first got married, we both detested leftovers. (No clue why…. now everyone in the family fights over them!) For the first several years, I would do my best to make the perfect amount of food so we didn’t have anything left at the end of a meal.

Now, as a ‘big’ family of eight, I actually try to have extras so there are options for everyone to warm up a quick meal whenever needed throughout the week.

Saving leftovers helps to avoid wasting food, saves money, and makes quick future meals. Some leftovers can be mixed with additional ingredients to make a whole new meal.

One of my favorite leftovers happens to be sloppy joe, also known as BBQ sandwiches, Manwich, slush burger, yum yums, dynamite, spoonburgers, and tavern sandwich, among other names.

I love having extras of this dish because it’s a versatile food that I can repurpose and turn into other delicious dishes!

Our Top 10 Leftover Sloppy Joe Recipes

Whether you planned on having leftover sloppy joe meat after a meal or just accidentally made too much, don’t let it go to waste! Either warm it up and serve sloppy joes again or turn them into something new. I’ve rounded up some great recipes for you to try.

43 Additional Ideas For Leftover Sloppy Joe Meat

1. Leftover Sloppy Joe Soup
   Soup lovers unite! Everyone loves a great bowl of soup, especially on a chilly day as it’s a great way to warm up. Soup has a humble appearance but can definitely pack a flavorful punch. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be serving up a hearty meal.
2. Add some heat and turn the meat into taco meat for traditional tacos. Whip up these homemade taco shells for a winning combination.
   Tacos are almost always on the top of my favorite food list so I’m always up for a new taco recipe and this one is great.
3. Use the meat in stuffed spinach omelets.
4. Make Sloppy Joe Frito Pie.
   Not quite a taco salad, and not quite a traditional Frito pie — whatever you want to call it, this salad is a delicious game changer.
5. Stir the sloppy joe meat into your favorite mac & cheese recipe to beef it up and make a more filling meal OR whip up this tried and true Sloppy Joe Macaroni and Cheese Recipe.
   It’s savory, sloppy, and oh so good! You just can’t go wrong when it comes to a comfort food like mac&cheese and this twist is to die for.
6. Turn into a classic Sloppy Joe Tator Tot Casserole.
   Kids everywhere grow up eating this classic casserole and now it can be even better. Crispy tator tots, saucy sloppy joe meat filling, and some cheese bring this childhood favorite to a whole new level.
7. Look up ‘Italian Joes on Texas Toast’ for some unique inspiration.
8. Sprinkle the sloppy joe meat over salad to add protein. (You can use it hot or cold this way.)
9. Add spaghetti sauce to the leftover sloppy joe and have a spaghetti night.
   Sloppy Joe Spaghetti offers an Italian flair with a punch to your traditional spaghetti night.
10. Make a sloppy joe pasta bake using your favorite style noodles.
11. Turn it into chili using whatever favorite recipe you already love or give this Sloppy Joe No Alarm Chili a try.
    In this recipe, you’ll enjoy classic chili flavors with a sloppy joe twist. It’s truly a match made in heaven. Don’t forget to add your favorite chili toppings including shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and fresh cilantro finish this fantastic dish with flair.
12. Enjoy this new recipe! Buy crescent rolls. Fill them with sloppy joe mixture and some shredded cheese. Bake in oven till crescents are ready. Add sour cream when serving. Easy!
13. Use the leftover meat for loaded nachos. Don’t forget to add all your favorite toppings too!
14. Throw the meat on top of a Sloppy Joe Baked Potato and add some shredded cheese for garnish.
    The delicious sauce and meat is a great way to bulk up a baked potato. You can serve as is or add even more traditional toppings if you’d like.
15. Make a tamale pie with cornbread on top.
16. Sloppy Joe Chili con carne.
17. Whip up Sloppy Joe Enchiladas.
    Looking to add some south of the border flair to supper? This recipe makes it simple. You’ll find the rich, hearty joes flavors merge well with popular Mexican cuisine’s zesty, spicy notes.
18. Use the sloppy joe as a hotdog topping as a chili cheese dog twist.
    Sloppy dogs are the perfect choice for tailgating, birthday parties, and potlucks.
19. Replace regular meat for sloppy joe as a burrito filling.
20. Add cheese to the sloppy joe meat and use as a new chip dip.
21. Mix the meat into rice for a quick meal.
22. Add additional spices and make aShepherds Pie.
23. Try Crescent Roll Sloppy Joe Casserole.
    In a greased 9×12 pan, place a full can of crescent rolls closing the seams together. Put the leftover sloppy joe meat on top, add some shredded cheese, then spread another can of crescent rolls on top. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or till the rolls are cooked through. Enjoy!
24. Layer the meat ina lettuce wrap and top with shredded cheese for a healthy quick bite lunch.
25. Make Sloppy Joe Pizza Burgers! Add some tomato paste and Italian seasoning. Put on half a hamburger bun with mozzarella cheese and broil till done.
26. Servethe sloppy joe meat over zucchini zoodles for a healthy pasta dish.
    This combo will help bring some veggies and flavor to your meal. So grab your fork and get ready to devour!
27. Layer the meat in aquesadilla, top with cheese and salsa.
28. Add cheese and onions to the sloppy joe, wrap in pie dough, and make a pocket pie.
29. Use the sloppy joe meat in stuffed bell peppers.
    Sloppy joe stuffed bell peppers is a dish that’s as delicious as it is unexpected. Yet, it somehow works out…really well!
30. Make Sloppy Joe hot pockets with crescent rolls for an easy kid-friendly meal.
31. Sloppy Joe empanadas.
32. Try this Sloppy Joe Meatloaf.
    While some meatloafs are made tastier with a cheesy meatloaf recipe, try jazzing up your next one with sloppy joe. It will have all the classic favors people love but features some unexpected, sweet tanginess and flair.
33. Spread hot sloppy joe meat over French Fries and add cheese.
34. Add cabbage, kraut, rice, and peppers to the meat and heat in a skillet for a totally new dish.
35. Make Sloppy Joe Stuffed Shells.
36. Create leftover Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread.
    Plain garlic bread is good but sprucing it up into this sloppy joe garlic bread really raises the bar as it’s the ultimate flavor combination. The best part is this recipe is incredibly easy to make. Grab a loaf of your favorite crusty garlic bread and leftover sloppy joe meat sauce and get cooking.
37. Whip up Sloppy Joe pizza. You can still add additional toppings too if you’d like.
38. Scoop the sloppy joe onto the top of a pile of mashed potatoes.
39. Create a Sloppy Joe Taco Bake.
40. Turn it into goulash.
41. Make simple sloppy joe nachos with just meat and cheese.
42. Whip up sloppy joe sliders for a kid’s bite meal.
    These may be little bites but they sure pack a big punch for flavor. They are quick and easy to make and everyone loves them, including adults!
43. Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole is always a crowd pleaser.
    When it comes to upcycling a meal, this Sloppy Joe Cornbread Casserole does it right! The cornbread delivers the perfect foundation for this delicious casserole.

If none of these options sounds appetizing to you at the moment or you just don’t feel like cooking, know that you can always put your leftover sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container and freeze for use at a future date.

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