Sloppy Jack’s
Sloppy Jack’s are fun, Halloween themed twist on classic Sloppy Joe’s! These meaty, cheesy jack-o-lantern look alikes are the prefect meal before trick or treating. Make the meat filling ahead of time, and Sloppy Jack’s can be on the table in 10 minutes.
Why make Sloppy Jacks?
Since its usually in the 40’s on Halloween around here, I always like to make something warm to have in our bellies before we head out to trick or treat on a chilly Minnesota evening.
Sloppy Joe’s are a weeknight staple at my house. They are quick and easy to make, and the whole family loves them, so I thought why not find a quick and easy way to add a festive Halloween twist to this family favorite?
Bonus Halloween Recipe
Try my Oreo Spider Cookies or Frankenstein Cake Pops. Both are simple enough for young kids to make!
What ingredients do you need to make Sloppy Jack’s?
- Sloppy Joe meat mixture like my Easy Sloppy Joe’s
- english muffins (I like Bay’s)
- cheddar cheese slices (I like Sargento)
- pumpkin shaped cookie cutter
- sharp knife
- cookie sheet
How do you make Sloppy Jack’s?
Start by making up a batch sloppy joe meat mixture like my Easy Sloppy Joe’s. This can easily be done ahead of time and just warm it up when you are ready to make the Jacks.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Split English muffins in half and place them face up on a cookie sheet. Once oven is hot, pop them in for 5 minutes.
While the muffins are toasting, grab your cheese slices and cut out out the pumpkin shapes using your cookie cutter.
Use a sharp pairing knife to cut triangle shapes for the eyes and they nose. This looks a bit compilated, but its really not! I promise. The cheese is pretty forgiving so even if you mess up, you can just pinch the cheese back together a bit.
Pull the muffins out of the oven and scoop about a 1/4c of meat mixture onto each muffin. Use the back of a spoon to flatten it down a bit.
Next, top each muffin with a jack o lantern shaped cheese slice. Put them back in the oven for 30-60 seconds so the cheese can melt a bit. This happens fast, so keep a close eye on it so you do not burn the cheese.
Sure! Since ground turkey is drier than beef, so you may need to add a bit more ketchup and mustard to the meat mixture.
I have not tested this recipe in a toaster oven, but I would think it would work fine. Make the meat mixture on the stove, but I’d think toasting the English muffins and melting the cheese would be ok in a toaster oven. Just keep a close eye on it as cooking times may be different from the original recipe directions.
Not really. They are going to taste best served fresh from oven while muffin is nice and toasty and cheese is melted. You technically can reheat leftovers in the microwave, but the English oven will be soft, not toasted. You can always prepare the meat mixture ahead of time and just warm it up prior to assembling the Jacks.
What to serve with Sloppy Jack’s
- chips or pretzels and my very favorite Pretzel Dip
- fries or tater tots
- side salad like this one
- veggies and greek yogurt ranch dip
- fruit
- coleslaw
- a pasta salad like this one or this one
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Sloppy Jack’s
Equipment
- cookie sheet
- sharp knife
Ingredients
- 2 cups sloppy joe meat mixture like my Easy Sloppy Joe's
- 4 english muffins
- 8 slices cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Split english muffins in half and place them face up on a cookie sheet. Once oven is hot, pop them in for 5 minutes. or until slightly toasted.
- While the muffins are toasting, use the cookie cutter to cut pumpkin shapes out of each slice of cheese.
- Use a sharp pairing knife to cut triangle shapes for the eyes and they nose.
- Pull the muffins out of the oven and scoop about a 1/4c of warm meat mixture onto each muffin. Use the back of a spoon to flatten it down a bit.
- Top each muffin with a jack o lantern shaped cheese slice. Put them back in the oven for 30-60 seconds so the cheese can melt a bit. This happens fast, so keep a close eye on it so you do not burn the cheese.
Notes
- chips or pretzels and my very favorite Pretzel Dip
- fries or tater tots
- side salad like this one
- veggies and greek yogurt ranch dip
- fruit
- coleslaw
- a pasta salad like this one or this one
