Sloppy Joe Pizza

This sloppy Joe pizza takes two family favorites and smashes them together. Seasoned ground beef mixed with barbecue sauce, corn, and green onions gets spread over an Italian bread shell and topped with melted Colby cheese.

Brown the beef first and drain the fat, then stir in the corn, barbecue sauce, scallions, and seasoning right in the skillet. Heat everything through so the flavors come together before it goes onto the bread shell. This means the topping is fully cooked and the oven time is just about melting the cheese and crisping the crust.

The Italian bread shell (or a 12-inch prepared pizza crust) gives you a sturdy, pre-baked base that stands up to the saucy topping without getting soggy. Twelve to fifteen minutes at high heat is all it needs.

Colby or Monterey Jack cheese melts into a gooey, mild layer that lets the barbecue-beef flavor come through.

Chef Tips

• Drain the ground beef thoroughly so the pizza doesn’t get greasy
• Spread the topping evenly to the edges so every slice gets a full load
• Let the pizza rest for 2 minutes before cutting so the cheese sets slightly
• A pizza stone gives the crust extra crispness on the bottom

Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version
• Add pickled jalapeños or diced bell pepper to the topping
• Drizzle with extra barbecue sauce after baking for more tang