The very first time I made these Sloppy Joe Cups, I knew immediately they were going to become one of my go-to comfort foods. My kitchen smelled like warm crescent rolls and that sweet, tangy Sloppy Joe aroma that always brings me right back to childhood. I remember pulling the muffin tin out of the oven and seeing how beautifully the dough had puffed up around the filling, almost like little edible bowls. They were golden, cheesy, messy in the best way, and unbelievably satisfying to eat straight from my countertop.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this recipe because it gives you everything you adore about classic Sloppy Joes without the sloppy part. These little cups are handheld, easy to eat, and perfect for kids, parties, game days, or weeknight dinners when you just don’t want the fuss of assembling sandwiches. And because each one is portioned individually, you can enjoy all the flavor without the overstuffed bun disaster. They’re warm, cheesy, comforting, and ridiculously simple to make—you’ll wonder why you didn’t try them sooner.
Ingredients
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can Sloppy Joe sauce (like Manwich)
- 6–8 slices American cheese or shredded cheese of choice
You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken if you want something lighter, though beef gives the most classic Sloppy Joe flavor. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, try a “bold” or “thick” version, or even make your own using tomato sauce and spices. Crescent rolls work best because they puff up and form little cups naturally, but biscuit dough can also work if pressed thinner. As for the cheese, I’ve tried everything from American to cheddar to pepper jack—each one adds a different flavor, and it’s fun to experiment.
Equipment Needed
- Muffin tin
- Frying pan or skillet
- Mixing spoon
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoon (optional for portioning)
A basic muffin tin is essential because it shapes the crescent dough into perfect edible cups. A nonstick frying pan makes browning the beef easier and creates fewer dishes to wash afterward. I like using a wooden spoon to break apart the meat while cooking, though any sturdy spoon will work. You don’t need anything fancy here—just simple kitchen tools you likely already have. If you want equal portions, a tablespoon measuring spoon helps scoop the Sloppy Joe mix evenly, but I usually eyeball it.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The first thing I do is preheat my oven so it’s ready to go as soon as the cups are assembled. While the oven warms, I cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. As the meat browns, that classic Sloppy Joe smell begins to fill the kitchen, and I break up the beef with my spoon until it’s finely crumbled. Once it’s fully cooked, I drain off any excess grease and stir in the Sloppy Joe sauce. The mixture becomes thick, glossy, and perfectly saucy. I let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors can blend.
Next, I open the can of crescent rolls and gently unroll the dough. This part always reminds me of childhood—the “pop” of the can still makes me smile. I separate the dough into triangles and then cut each triangle in half so I have smaller pieces. Each piece gets pressed into a muffin cup, making sure the dough covers the bottom and sides. The first time I made these, I didn’t press the dough high enough up the sides, and some filling spilled out—so now I always take my time molding each dough cup properly.
Once the dough is ready, I spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture into each cup. I try not to overfill them because the meat mixture expands slightly while baking. A generous tablespoon usually does the trick. When they’re filled, I top each cup with a small piece of cheese. I’ve learned to place the cheese gently and not press it down too hard so it melts evenly over the top rather than sinking into the filling.(See the next page below to continue…)