Pepperoni Pizza Sloppy Joes

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Brown the Beef:
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.

Add the Pepperoni and Sauce:
Stir in the chopped pepperoni slices and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to crisp up slightly. Add the pizza sauce, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld.

Toast the Buns:
While the sauce is simmering, lightly toast the hamburger buns in a separate pan or oven until golden brown.

Assemble the Sloppy Joes:
Once the sauce has thickened, spoon the pepperoni pizza mixture generously onto the bottom half of each toasted bun.

Add the Cheese:
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the meat mixture.

Broil:
Place the buns with the toppings under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish and Serve:
Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil or parsley, if desired. Serve immediately, and enjoy the cheesy, savory goodness!

Serving and Storage Tips: