This is one of my favorite ways to make sloppy joes, beginning with simple ingredients and taking that delicious canned sauce up a notch. One bite and you’ll never look at that can the same again. The first time I made these (right after I got married over two decades ago), my husband took one bite and his eyes got really big, then he took another, and his eyes got even bigger. They were almost inhaled after that. I’ve found the same reaction whenever I serve them so watch your family for those bulging eyes and you’ll know you’ve got a winner!
You’ll need: Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce*, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, French Fried Onions, and browned ground beef.
Now you know I normally don’t get specific with brands but I have to stick by my Manwich sloppy joe sauce. I have tried several generics and they don’t even come close (some are quite horrid!). I really suggest you get this kind, unless you already have a favorite out there.
Brown your ground beef in a large skillet and drain off any grease. I am using two pounds, even though the can says to use one pound. Add sloppy joe sauce….
Then add 1 Cup of cheddar and 1 cup of French Fried Onions.
Stir that all up and make sure it is heated through.
Now we need to toast our buns! I just put mine in a skillet and turn the heat on medium high. After a minute or so flip them over. Toasted buns make the BEST sloppy joes!!!
For my fries, I prefer crinkle cut and usually get name brand if they aren’t too outrageously priced. I like to bake mine but if you have an air fryer you may prefer that. If you’re baking, lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. 
Sprinkle liberally with seasoned salt.
I bake these at 425 for about 20 minutes or so, stirring once, until they are lightly browned on the edges.
Put your sloppy joe mixture on the toasted bun and top with more french fried onions. This little crunch and flavor is so good with sloppy joes!
Serve with lots of ketchup and sweet tea!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Ground beef browned and drained
- 15 oz can Manwich sloppy joe sauce
- 2 cups french fried onions
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pack hamburger buns
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in large skillet, drain off any grease. To cooked ground beef, add sloppy joe sauce, cheese, and 1 cup french fried onions. Stir and heat until bubbly.
- Toast buns and top with sloppy joe meat. Sprinkle more onions on top. Serve with fries. Makes about eight sloppy joes.
Nutrition
I originally published this recipe in 2009 and updated the photos and post in 2020.
I made these this weekend for me and my husband and shared some with my brother and sister-in-law and we all loved these. The onions and cheese gave a great twist.
I am so glad you could share with family! You are so right, I love the flavor the onions give and the texture from the cheese. So glad y’all liked it!
So glad you were able to share with family. I love the onion for that little bity crunch and the cheese adds a nice flavor. Thanks for sharing!
Hi! My family loves Sloppy Joe’s and Manwich is our favorite too. Where do you find the french fried onions? We love these at restaurants, but have yet to find a place that carries them. Thanks
We love Sloppy Joes. TY
I hope you get the chance to make them soon Barbara!!
I just happened on your recipe site today and I have to say I love it! I pretty much run my kitchen exactly as you do, using store brands , generics, and simple comforting recipes. I could not be more pleased to have found you and WILL be ordering your cookbook!!! Thanks again!
Welcome to Southern Plate Denise!!!! I am so glad you found me as well and I hope you enjoy the recipes!! Look forward to getting to know you!
Omg I love sloppy joes, one of my all time favorites . I will be trying this recipe on my fiancee tomorrow… There may be a smack down over the sloppy joes, I will definatly double the recipe . Thank you Christy for your great recipes @
Hi Ya’ll 🙂 Gotta tell ya, Manwich used to be my favoite sloppy joe sauce… My friend introduced me to her mom’s way of making sloppy joes… 1/2 bottle of Heinz chili sauce and 1/4 cup ketchup for 1# ground beef….. Sorry Manwhich.. I now prefer the chili sauce and ketchup! Sometimes I add onion and green pepper, sometimes not… delicious either way. I have even used generic chili sauce with excellent results.