Spicy Italian Sloppy Joes

These Spicy Italian Sloppy Joes put a bold, flavorful spin on a childhood favorite. With just six simple ingredients, they come together in minutes and are perfect for stocking your freezer. On busy nights, you’ll love being able to pull out this easy, nostalgic meal that the whole family will enjoy!

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Spicy Italian Sloppy Joes Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. ground Italian sausage, browned and cooled
• 1/4 cup onion, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 19 oz. diced tomatoes with spicy red pepper
• 1/3 cup chili sauce
• 1 tsp. basil

Assembly Instructions:

• Add all ingredients to a large, resealable freezer bag.
• Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking Instructions:

• Reheat in a skillet until heated through.
• Serve on open-faced hamburger buns or spaghetti.

Additional Cooking Tips for this Recipe

You can easily adjust the spice in this recipe to fit your family’s taste. Swap the spicy red pepper and diced tomatoes for regular diced tomatoes, then add red pepper flakes as desired for just the right kick.

Need a gluten-free version? Simply use gluten-free bread or even serve the filling over gluten-free pasta.

For a vegetarian twist, substitute the Italian sausage with a plant-based ground sausage or beef alternative. Just brown it according to the package directions and mix it in as you would with the meat version.

Ways to Serve this Recipe

Here are some kid-friendly options if you are serving this for your family.

• Apple slices
• Grapes
• Carrot sticks
• Celery
• Tater tots
• Corn on the cob
• Cheesy pasta or mac & cheese
• Applesauce or fruit cups

For the adults, you could include a fresh garden salad or coleslaw, potato wedges, garlic parmesan fries, or sweet potato fries.

Want more classic recipes with a twist like this one? Check out our Ground Beef Stroganoff Freezer Meal, Easy Chicken Marsala, or Make-Ahead Apple Pork Chops.