Go Ahead, Get Sloppy!

There are times to be civilized and proper at the dinner table, and then there are times to just dig in and get sloppy! This post is about the latter. All of these recipes are messy in the best way and I promise you will want to make them again and again. Plus, they are are all easy!

First up is my Cheesy Sloppy Joe Meatballs over Garlicky Texas Toast. I opted to serve them in a bowl over garlicky Texas Toast so while it may not get your hands as messy, it sure will get your plate sloppy! If you want to get even messier, stuff the meatballs into hoagie rolls instead. Either way, the flavors are amazing!

For the meatballs, combine:

• 1.5 pounds lean ground beef

• 1 egg

• 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

• 1/3 cup whole milk

• 1/4 finely chopped medium onion (chop the whole thing, you'll need the rest later)

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt

• Fresh cracked black pepper

Using an ice cream scoop or your hands, roll into 2-inch balls.

Prep the rest of the ingredients:

• 1 bell pepper (any color), seeded and diced

• the rest of the chopped onion

• 3 cloves minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried parsley)

• Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large high sided skillet or Dutch oven

• Add the meatballs in a single layer and sear on each side and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, around 8 minutes total. Transfer meatballs to a plate, Add another tablespoon of olive oil if necessary.

• To the skillet, add the onion, pepper, and garlic. Cook until softened and translucent.

To the vegetables, add:

• 15-oz. tomato sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 1/4 cup water

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• Scrape any bits from the bottom of the skillet, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer.

• Add back the meatballs and simmer, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and meatballs are fully cooked, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the garlic butter in a small pot over low heat::

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 4 minced garlic cloves

• 1 teaspoon minced parsley

• Pinch of red pepper flakes

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Fresh cracked black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange Texas toast (or any bread that you like) on a baking sheet, brush butter mixture all over, Bake until golden, around 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it because the bottom can burn! Remove from the oven and then set the broiler to high.

• Spread 2 cups grated mozzarella all over the meatballs and place the skillet under the broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.

• Place a piece of toast in the bottom of your bowl and top with the cheesy meatballs and more fresh parsley.

Now this next recipe will definitely get your hands dirty, unless you use a fork and knife, but that is cheating! Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are so much more fun to eat than the full-size version, not to mention yummy!

• In a cold, large skillet or Dutch oven, add 1/2 pound thick cut bacon, cut into bite-size pieces. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and leave 2 tablespoons drippings in the skillet.

• In the same skillet, cook 1/4 cup diced onion and 1 minced garlic clove. Season with a big pinch of salt.

• Add 2 tablespoons flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes. (Meanwhile, in a glass measuring cup, microwave 1 cup milk until warm, about 1 minute.)

• While whisking, add warmed milk until combined and smooth. Then add:

  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• Whisk until thickened and then remove from heat.

• Whisk in one large beaten egg yolk and then fold in:

  • 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere

  • 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar

Stir until smooth and fully combined.

• Spread slider bun bottoms on a large foil-lined baking sheet (King's Hawaiian rolls or whatever you prefer).

• Top sliders with sliced turkey breast (I used cracked pepper turkey).

• Cover turkey with the cheese sauce, sliced fresh tomatoes, and the bacon.

• Add the slider tops, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle Everything Bagel Seasoning all over.

• Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10 minutes and then get ready to get your hands messy!

Ok, wash your hands and then get them messy again with this amazing Egg in the Hole Tuna BLT with Spicy Mayo! A typical Egg in the Hole (or Toad in the Hole) can be boring so I opted to kick this up a few notches.

• In a large cold skillet, add 3 slices of bacon and cook over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and remove all but 3 tablespoons bacon drippings. Add one slice of bread to the drippings in the skillet and toast both sides.

• Slather one side of the bread with the spicy mayo (3 tablespoons mayonnaise combined with 1 teaspoon Sriracha or hot sauce).

• Add your favorite lettuce and your favorite tuna salad (I make mine with flaked tuna in oil combined with mayonnaise, celery, a big pinch of garlic powder, salt, and pepper).

• Top tuna with fresh tomatoes, salt and pepper, and the crispy bacon.

• Using a round cookie cutter, remove the center of another slice of bread and in the same skillet with the remaining bacon drippings, add the bread and cook for 1 minute. Crack an egg into the hole and cook until the bottom is just set. Carefully flip the bread and cook on the other side. If you prefer a runny yolk, cook for 1-2 minutes per side. If you prefer a firmer yolk, cool longer until your desired doneness is reached.

And saving the absolute messiest and best for last, these Nashville Hot Chicken Fries will leave your fingers messy and your mouth tingling! You'll never want nachos or plain waffle fries again.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Start by making the slaw (which you will want to help cool down the hot chicken). In a small bowl, whisk together:

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

• 2 teaspoons dill pickle brine

• Pinch of salt and pepper

In a medium bowl, add 8 ounces of your favorite bagged slaw mix and toss with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate.

For the chicken, you can absolutely use frozen, store-bought breaded chicken tenders or nuggets, but I made my own by dipping chicken tenders in flour, then egg, and finally Panko bread crumbs. I set them aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet and baked in the preheated oven for around 20 minutes. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees.

While the chicken bakes, make the cheese sauce. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and add 2 tablespoons of flour and 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard. Whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to low and slowly pour in 3/4 cup milk, whisking frequently until slightly thickened and warmed. Add 1 ounce of cream cheese and whisk until incorporated. Off the heat, add 4 ounces sharp cheddar and whisk until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste, set aside, and keep warm.

To make the Nashville hot sauce, in a smaller skillet, combine:

• 4 teaspoons cayenne pepper

• 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

Heat until butter melts and whisk to combine. Set aside. If the sauce separates, just whisk it back together. Keep warm.

Spread a layer of frozen waffle fries on a sheet pan and bake until crispy, according to package directions.

Drizzle some of the Nashville hot sauce and all of the cheese sauce on the hot waffle fries.

Brush the cooked chicken tenders all over with the Nashville hot sauce, cut them into bite size pieces, and place on top of the cheese sauce. Drizzle any remaining Nashville hot sauce on top of the chicken.

Add the slaw down the middle and top with dill pickle slices.

Ready, set, GET MESSY! And enjoy every minute of it!

Whoever thought that being messy was a bad thing needs to try one or all of these recipes. And they are all perfect for Super Bowl Sunday parties Make the Egg in the Hole for breakfast, and then make the meatballs, sliders, and Nashville chicken fries for the big game. No one on the field will be a bigger MVP than YOU when your guests eat up everything! Be sure to let me know how they turn out!