Sloppy Jessica, or Mac-and-Cheese-Chili Pizza on a Bun Recipe

Name: Sloppy Jessica, or Mac-and-Cheese-Chili Pizza on a Bun Recipe
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Kosher salt; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups); 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, chopped (about 3/4 cup); 3 medium garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 pound ground beef; 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped, juice reserved; 2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Frank’s); Freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound elbow macaroni; 4 French bread rolls; 1 pound dry whole-milk mozzarella, grated

Inspired by a TV sitcom, the Sloppy Jessica is a gloriously greasy, wonderfully messy beast of macaroni-and-cheese chili stuffed into a pizza-style bun that's dripping with melted mozzarella cheese.

While it seems like three recipes in one, this clever, streamlined creation is actually just a sandwich of chili mac with melted cheese.
By omitting beans and cheese sauce, the chili mac can be made in under an hour.

Sloppy Jessica, or Mac-and-Cheese-Chili Pizza on a Bun Recipe

Cook 60 mins

Active 30 mins

Total 60 mins

Serves 4 servings

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Kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons chile powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 pound ground beef
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly chopped, juice reserved
2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Frank’s)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 French bread rolls
1 pound dry whole-milk mozzarella, grated

Preheat oven to 425°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over high heat until shimmering. Add onion and green pepper and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, red pepper flakes, cumin, and oregano. Stir continuously until very fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add beef and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to break up the meat, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and juice and the hot sauce, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook pasta in the boiling water according to the directions on the packaging. Drain in a colander and then stir into the chili mac. Cover and keep warm.
Slice the rolls in half horizontally. Place rolls, cut-side up, on a large baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Sprinkle cut sides with grated cheese. Place rolls in the oven and cook until cheese melts and rolls are toasted, about 8 minutes.
Spoon the chili mac onto the bottom rolls and crown with the top piece. Serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
964	Calories
38g	Fat
103g	Carbs
54g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	964
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 38g	49%
Saturated Fat 13g	64%
Cholesterol 119mg	40%
Sodium 1561mg	68%
Total Carbohydrate 103g	37%
Dietary Fiber 11g	40%
Total Sugars 17g
Protein 54g
Vitamin C 58mg	290%
Calcium 364mg	28%
Iron 10mg	56%
Potassium 1546mg	33%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.