koukouvagia If your childhood memory is bright red sloppy joe (as is mine) it might not be one of the long simmered recipes. I grew up with Manwich made in the minimum amount of time. It's fairly red. But if simmered longer as I now do it isn't as vibrant in color.
Sometimes I forgo the bun and put the Joe on a pile of fries. There are so many interesting ways to eat sloppy joe!