Sloppy Joe Mac & Cheese Wrap Recipe
This fun fusion recipe combines two classic comfort foods—Sloppy Joes and Mac & Cheese—wrapped into one delicious, handheld meal! It’s cheesy, hearty, and full of flavor. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
For the Sloppy Joe filling:
-
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey if you prefer)
-
1 small onion, diced
-
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
-
1 clove garlic, minced
-
1/2 cup ketchup
-
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (optional, for a smokier flavor)
-
2 tbsp tomato paste
-
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
-
1 tbsp brown sugar
-
1 tsp chili powder
-
1/2 tsp paprika
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
1/4 cup water (to adjust the consistency, if needed)
For the Mac & Cheese:
-
1 lb elbow macaroni (or any pasta shape you like)
-
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of your favorite cheeses)
-
1/2 cup heavy cream
-
1/2 cup milk
-
2 tbsp butter
-
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
For the Wraps:
-
4 large flour tortillas (8-10 inches)
-
1 tbsp butter (for grilling the wraps)
Instructions:
1. Make the Sloppy Joe Filling:
-
In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
-
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the pan. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften.
-
Stir in the ketchup, BBQ sauce (if using), tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add a bit of water if you want the sauce to be a little thinner.
-
Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and the flavors should meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
2. Make the Mac & Cheese:
-
Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
-
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux (it should be lightly golden).
-
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
-
Once it starts to thicken, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend) until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
-
Stir in the cooked macaroni until well combined, making sure the pasta is fully coated with the cheese sauce.
3. Assemble the Wraps:
-
Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave them for 20-30 seconds until soft and pliable.
-
Lay each tortilla flat on a clean surface.
-
On each tortilla, add a few spoonfuls of the Sloppy Joe mixture, followed by a generous scoop of the mac & cheese. Be careful not to overfill!
-
Roll up the tortillas, folding in the sides as you go, to form a tight wrap.
4. Grill the Wraps (Optional, for crispy texture):
-
In a large skillet, melt a little butter over medium heat.
-
Place the wraps seam-side down in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
-
Repeat for all the wraps.
5. Serve:
-
Slice the wraps in half at an angle and serve immediately, with a side of pickles or extra sauce if desired.
Tips:
-
For extra flavor, you can add a handful of cooked bacon to the Sloppy Joe filling or sprinkle some cheese on top of the mac & cheese.
-
If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, you can substitute the ground beef with lentils, crumbled tempeh, or plant-based crumbles.
-
You can make the Sloppy Joe filling and mac & cheese in advance and then just assemble and grill the wraps when you’re ready to eat!