Sloppy Ro*tels

I recently tweeted about a pasta salad I made with a can of Ro*tel Tomatoes, and Ro*tel heard about it…and sent me a sample of their new Zesty Tomato and Green Chili Sauce (Mild).


A taste-test was obviously in order, so I sorted through the stack of delicious sounding recipe suggestions Ro*tel packed in the box but couldn’t make up my mind.  Would it be the Spicy Chicken Enchiladas or the beef?  Maybe the Mexican Cornbread Casserole?  I couldn’t decide which one.  I knew I wanted to use it in something that would feature the taste so I could make a fair assessment of the flavors.  But what?

Then, I hit upon a great idea.  I would make my regular sloppy joes and substitute my plain tomato sauce with the Ro*tel sauce.  I mixed up the meat and prepared to serve the sandwiches, but...the green chilies in the sauce gave the meat a mild tacoey-tasting flavor unlike my run-of-the-mill joes, so I felt inspired to top each with shredded Tillamook cheddar and lettuce.  After that small adjustment, I took them to the table and waited for the jury to assess the results.


I honestly didn’t think such a small change would make such a big difference, but they loved it.  Absolutely loved it...and asked when I would make it again.  The new Ro*tel sauce was a hit!

Will I purchase this Ro*tel Zesty Tomato and Green Chili Sauce?  Definitely.  Will I try the spicier “Original” version?  Oh, most certainly.  Should you try it?  Yes!

Ingredients:
1lb ground beef
1 8ox can Mild or Original Ro*tel Zesty Tomato and Green Chili Sauce
1T tomato paste
1/4c water
2T fine bread crumbs
1T Worcestershire sauce
1t onion powder
1t garlic powder
2t sugar
1t salt (more or less to taste)

3oz shredded cheese
1c shredded lettuce
6 toasted hamburger buns

Instructions:
-Brown and drain hamburger
-Stir in sauce, paste, water, bread crumbs, and spices.  Simmer until thickened.
-Divide meat mixture among buns
-Top with cheese and lettuce
-Eat and enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. I haven't seen this brand or just simply don't recognize the can even though I may have seen it in the store. Great review with wonderful recipe! I've never made sloppy joes before but I saw a few posts about it. Looks yum!!

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    1. It's a new product. I use the diced tomatoes regularly but have never bought the sauce. It was like regular tomato sauce but spicier and with more flavor. I think it would be good in any Mexican cooking. I cook so much nutritious stuff, sometimes I let the kids pick out "junk"...and they wanted sloppy joes. I served them with tater tots too...haha. They were so happy.

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