Description
These Amazing 45-Minute Sloppy Joe Bowls are a delicious, hearty twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich, served without a bun and paired with roasted sweet potatoes. This recipe features a savory ground beef mixture enhanced with tomato, spices, and tangy mustard, topped with fresh crunchy lettuce, pickles, and red onion for a satisfying, fork-friendly meal perfect for any weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sloppy Joe Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef (85 percent lean)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire style sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced pickles
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Heat your oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Toss Sweet Potatoes: In a bowl, toss the sweet potato rounds with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper to evenly coat them. Arrange the rounds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Roast the sweet potatoes for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until they are tender when pierced with a fork and lightly browned.
- Cook Ground Beef and Onions: While the potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and finely chopped yellow onion. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F and the onions become soft and translucent.
- Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire style sauce, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the beef mixture. Mix well.
- Simmer the Mixture: Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened and saucy.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the roasted sweet potatoes evenly between serving bowls. Spoon the thick sloppy joe beef mixture over the potatoes.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Top each bowl with shredded lettuce, diced pickles, and sliced red onion for added crunch and freshness.
- Serve Warm: Serve the sloppy joe bowls immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, cut the sweet potatoes into uniform thickness.
- You can substitute ground turkey or plant-based ground meat for a leaner or vegetarian alternative.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar or mustard to taste depending on your preferred level of sweetness and tang.
- If you prefer spicier sloppy joes, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
