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Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

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A mouthwatering twist on two classic comfort foods, combining savory sloppy joe flavors with creamy macaroni and cheese.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 800

Ingredients
  

For the Mac and Cheese
  • 225 g 225 g elbow macaroni pasta
  • 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 480 ml 480 ml whole milk
  • 190 g 190 g sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 60 g 60 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 0.25 teaspoon 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon 0.25 teaspoon mustard powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Sloppy Joe Filling
  • 450 g 450 g ground beef, 80/20 blend
  • 1 medium 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1 small 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
  • 3 cloves 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 120 ml 120 ml ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Wraps
  • 4 large 4 large flour tortillas, 30 cm diameter
  • 110 g 110 g additional shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • Butter or cooking spray, for grilling

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Cook elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
Making the Cheese Sauce
  1. Gradually whisk in milk, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Continue stirring for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  2. Remove from heat and incorporate cheddar and mozzarella until fully melted. Add garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss in the drained macaroni and keep warm over low heat.
Preparing the Sloppy Joe Filling
  1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  2. Add ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, and cook for 6–8 minutes until thoroughly browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Mix in ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and black pepper, then simmer for 8–10 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the mixture is well thickened and the sauce clings to the meat. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Assembling the Wraps
  1. Briefly warm tortillas until flexible. Lay one tortilla flat and distribute approximately 180 ml (3/4 cup) of warm mac and cheese across the center, leaving a 5 cm border.
  2. Top with about 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the sloppy joe mixture and sprinkle 30 g (1/4 cup) of additional shredded cheese over the filling.
  3. Fold the bottom edge up, tuck in both sides, and tightly roll from the bottom to enclose the filling.
Grilling the Wraps
  1. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly grease with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Place wraps seam side down and cook for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes until both sides are evenly browned and cheese is melting. Press gently with a spatula for optimal contact.
  3. Remove wraps from heat and allow to rest for 1–2 minutes to avoid burns. Slice each wrap diagonally and serve immediately while hot and cheesy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 800kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 40gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 900mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10g

Notes

Make sure to drain the grease from the beef to keep the wraps from getting soggy. Adjust the spice level by omitting or adding cayenne pepper according to your preference. Use different types of cheese for varied flavors, such as pepper jack for a spicy kick.
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