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bolognese sloppy joe's (two for one recipe)

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

I was working in the test kitchen today... clarifying some chicken stock (the work never ends), and I thought of making some Bolognese for tonight's supper... Then I thought that it might be brilliant on a bun; served like a sloppy Joe with some nice mozzarella on top, and there you go. This recipe is a two-fer... You can stop with the Bolognese and put it on pasta for an excellent Italian dish, or you can go one step further, and have a Bolognese Sloppy Joe. So, you ready... let's get into the kitchen.

(1 rating)
yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 45 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For bolognese sloppy joe's (two for one recipe)

  • THE BOLOGNESE
  • 1/8 c
    olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1/8 c
    grapeseed oil
  • 1 md
    onion (about 8 oz), grated
  • 2 to 3 stalk
    celery (about 4 oz), grated
  • 2 md
    carrots (about 6 oz), grated
  • 4 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lb
    ground sirloin, lean
  • 1/2 lb
    ground pork, or italian sausage
  • 2 tsp
    basil, dried
  • 1 tsp
    oregano, dried
  • 16 oz
    tomato sauce
  • 10 oz
    tomato puree
  • 1 tsp
    kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp
    black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
  • 1/4 c
    parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 c
    red wine
  • 2 Tbsp
    sweet butter, unsalted
  • THE SLOPPY JOE
  • 4
    rolls, buns, hoagies, bread... whatever
  • 2 c
    mozzarella cheese, freshly grated

How To Make bolognese sloppy joe's (two for one recipe)

  • 1
    MAKING THE SAUCE
  • 2
    Gather all your ingredients
  • 3
    Chef's Tip: If you're not a big fan of grating, you can use your food-processor with the grating attachment to do the job for you.
  • 4
    Place the two oils in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • 5
    When the oil begins to shimmer, add the onions, celery, and carrots. Cook until softened, about 8 minutes.
  • 6
    Add the garlic, basil, and oregano, and continue to cook for about 2 minutes.
  • 7
    Add the beef and sausage, and cook until the meat loses its pink color, about 5 minutes.
  • 8
    Add the tomato sauce and puree, salt and pepper, and cook over medium heat for an additional 5 minutes.
  • 9
    Chef's Tip: Italian sausage can be a bit on the greasy side. If you want to reduce that grease, simply put a doubled-over paper towel on top of the sauce (as it is simmering), and the paper towel will pick up a good portion of that grease. You might need to do it more than once, depending on the amount of grease you want to remove.
  • 10
    Finally, add the butter, the wine, and the cheese.
  • 11
    Stir until the ingredients are incorporated into the sauce.
  • 12
    Lower the heat until the sauce is barely simmering, and then cover for 30 minutes.
  • 13
    Chef’s Note: During this time, taste, and add more salt, and/or pepper, if needed. Remember, season while cooking, not at the end.
  • 14
    Chef’s Note: At this point, you can stop, and you have an excellent Bolognese sauce, that will go great over pasta.
  • 15
    MAKING THE SLOPPY JOE’S
  • 16
    Slice open the buns, hoagies, or whatever you are using for your Sloppy Joe’s.
  • 17
    Pick out some of the bread in the bottom half, to make room for the sauce. My dog, Guru, is waiting for me to drop something.
  • 18
    Brush some melted butter on the cut side of the top half, and around the edges of the bottom half.
  • 19
    Place a rack in the second to top position, and set your oven to broil.
  • 20
    Add the Bolognese sauce to the bottom.
  • 21
    Add a generous portion of mozzarella to the top of the sauce.
  • 22
    Place in the oven, and broil until the cheese begins to bubble and brown, about 3 minutes.
  • 23
    It should look something like this...
  • 24
    Serve with some chips, and plenty of napkins. Enjoy.
  • 25
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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