Cheesy Spaghetti Sloppy Joes combine a saucy beef-and-pasta skillet with crisp garlic-buttered buns and plenty of melted mozzarella. The broken spaghetti cooks directly with the beef, so the filling develops in one pan before it is spooned onto the toasted rolls.
The recipe makes exactly 4 servings. Preparation takes 13 minutes, cooking takes 16 minutes, and the total time is 29 minutes. Keeping the stated quantities and short cooking stages intact gives the filling its intended balance of meat, pasta, marinara, and cheese.
Cheesy Spaghetti Sloppy Joe Ingredients
Prepare 1 lb lean ground beef, ½ cup chopped onion, and 1 tablespoon butter for the savory base. Measure 1 cup dry spaghetti broken into short pieces, 2 cups water, and 2 cups sweet basil marinara sauce.
Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. For serving, use exactly 4 buns, ¼ cup garlic butter, and 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Taco Spaghetti Recipe.
How to Make Cheesy Spaghetti Sloppy Joes
- Heat the oven to 400°F.
- Cook the beef and onion in 1 tablespoon butter for 5–6 minutes, then drain excess fat.
- Add 2 cups water and 1 cup broken spaghetti. Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 4 minutes.
- Stir in 2 cups sweet basil marinara, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Reduce the heat to low.
- Spread ¼ cup garlic butter over four buns and toast for 4–6 minutes.
- Stir 2 cups mozzarella into the skillet until melted.
- Spoon the hot filling over the four toasted buns and serve.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Preheat the Oven to 400°F
Brown the Beef and Onion
Add Water and Broken Spaghetti
Stir in Marinara and Seasonings
Prepare Four Garlic-Butter Buns
Melt Two Cups of Mozzarella
Assemble and Serve Four Portions
Timing and Texture Checks
Conclusion
Heat the oven to 400°F. Cook 1 lb lean beef and ½ cup onion in 1 tablespoon butter for 5–6 minutes, then drain. Add 2 cups water and 1 cup broken spaghetti; cover and cook over medium-high for 4 minutes. Stir in 2 cups marinara and the measured seasonings, then reduce to low. Spread ¼ cup garlic butter over four buns and toast 4–6 minutes. Melt 2 cups mozzarella into the skillet and divide the filling among the buns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How many Cheesy Spaghetti Sloppy Joes does this recipe make?
It makes exactly four servings using four buns.
- → Does the spaghetti need to be cooked first?
No. Add 1 cup dry broken spaghetti to the skillet with 2 cups water and cook it as directed.
- → How long should the garlic-buttered buns toast?
Toast them at 400°F for 4–6 minutes.
- → When is the mozzarella added?
Stir exactly 2 cups mozzarella into the sauced skillet mixture over low heat, just before assembling the sandwiches.