When I was a kid, my family had a tradition that we called Fun Friday. Each Friday, we’d eschew our regular eating habits in favor of fun, but not necessarily good for you, food. Sometimes we’d layer tacos with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, cheddar and salsa. Other weeks, we’d make homemade pizzas with pre-formed crusts. And every once in a while, the star of Fun Friday was Sloppy Joe.

Back then, Sloppy Joe was a loose, messy sandwich with delicious mystery sauce from the Manwich can (ok, ok, it was supposed to be some iteration of tomato, I think). You’d bite down into the soft bun and flavors would flood your mouth, but at the same time you’d feel the warm gush of meat in sauce overflow into your hand.

They aren’t called Sloppy Joe for nothing . . .

This recipe is a fresher spin on Sloppy Joes. Now, be warned: this isn’t going to taste like that can of Manwich you remember. This is more like a twisted cheddar bacon burger. It’s slightly less messy and decidedly not for the dieting crowd. Still, it’s a nice, fun way to have something different once in a while. And the size is perfect for little kid hands.

All-American Beef Cheddar Bacon Hand Pies
serves 8

1 lb ground beef
4 slices bacon, chopped
salt and pepper
2 plum tomatoes, diced
1 cup cheddar
2 rolls Pillsbury Crescent rolls

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and bacon. Drain the fat off. Add salt and pepper and the tomato. Cook for about four minutes, stirring constantly until the tomato cooks down a bit. Stir in the cheddar and remove the pan from the burner.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Open the Crescent rolls and seperate into triangles on the baking sheet. Divide the meat mixture among the rolls and fold over the triangle to cover the mixture.

Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for five minutes before serving. Pick up and eat.

Serve with a big garden salad.

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A Few More bites . . .

• Simply Recipes has a recipe for traditional Sloppy Joes.
• A Year of CrockPotting has a hands-off crockpot recipe for Sloppy Joes.
• Two Bites in Surburbia has a recipe for vegetarian Sloppy Joes with black beans.
• Slashfood has a recipe for Spicy Cocoa Sloppy Joes.