Make-Ahead Pizza Burgers

This recipe makes a huge batch of open-faced sloppy joe-like sandwiches. Eat some now and freeze the rest for a quick after school snack.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 242 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tablespoons white sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano
• ¼ cup butter, softened (Optional)
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoons garlic salt
• ½ (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
• ½ (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 4 pounds ground beef
• 3 stalks celery, minced
• 1 (32 ounce) bottle ketchup
• 1 ½ (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 36 English muffins, split
• 72 slices American cheese, cut into strips

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place onion and celery into a pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Simmer until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir beef until it is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in onion mixture, ketchup, tomato soup, 1/2 can tomato paste, garlic salt, salt, and pepper; set aside to cool.

Step 4

Mix remaining 1 1/2 cans tomato paste, oregano, and sugar in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Butter each English muffin half, then spread with tomato paste mixture. Divide ground beef mixture over each muffin half and top with strips of American cheese. Place open-faced sandwiches on large baking sheets.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese melts, about 15 minutes.