These Healthier Sloppy Joes are bursting with nutrition in one dish and insanely delicious. All you need is a few simple ingredients, my veggie hack, and about 15 minutes. Double the batch because your family will be begging for more!
Sloppy Joes
I’ve never actually been a huge fan of Sloppy Joes. All I remember was a messy meat, suspicious sauce, and soggy buns.
I don’t blame my mother; instead, I blame the school cafeteria.
Anyone else share this feeling?
But now as a mom, and knowing that my kids INHALE anything with a tomato sauce-y base, I’ve accepted the challenge to sloppy joe again.
And guess what?
I’m IN LOVE with Sloppy Joes !
Or at least these sloppy Joes!
Healthier Sloppy Joe
Everything from the uncomplicated ingredients, ability to throw to together (it’s sloppy after all!) in one pan, and stir one handed sure makes up for those once soggy buns.
And this batch incorporates some extra flavor, including pumpkin, which only compliments the taste.
Get ready for one SUPER tasty weeknight dinner or satisfying lunch with leftovers.
You’re going to devour this!!
What Ingredients do I need?
Skip that canned Sloppy Joe Sauce. This is super easy:
Meat
- Ground beef— for healthiest option use lean ground beef but any kind works.
- Onion –Nothing fancy here, just frozen chopped onion
- Spinach— Add some greens! Tip: Freeze your fresh spinach leaves and just crumble them in
Sloppy Sauce
- Ketchup— use organic to cut down on added sugars
- Pumpkin puree— Canned pumpkin puree is key to the consistency here! It adds a little extra “oomph” to the meat mixture which means a little less of those soggy buns
- Brown Sugar— Caramelizes right into meat for a hint of sweetness
- Mustard— Nothing special, just yellow mustard for a bit of tartness. So good!
Bun
- Serve on mini buns. We love these sliders and King Hawaiian’s are never a bad idea either!
How do I make these Sloppy Joes?
These come together within 15 minutes by following these simple steps:
- Brown meat, drain and return to heat
- Add veggies and cook for 3-5 minutes until softer/wilted
- Stir in ketchup, pumpkin, brown sugar and mustard
- Combine, warm throughout
THAT’S IT! You’re ready to spoon onto a bun and voila! Dinner done.
Tips/Tricks
- Drain your meat using this clip on strainer. Makes this a true “one dish” meal!
- Get creative. I recently forgot our beloved buns and served over a baked potato– YUM!! You could also serve this meat in a wrap or tortilla.
- You can add in other veggies (or not add in veggies)
- Don’t skimp on the pumpkin. In fact, sometimes I stir a little more, especially for myself.
How to serve Sloppy Joe
Scoop right out of pan onto bun.
If you make for a crowd, you could transfer into slow cooker on ‘keep warm’ and have guests safely serve themselves.
Reheating is easy with leftovers– warm in pan, or in my reality the microwave for 2-3 minutes until warm, stirring as you go.
I’m sure this freezes well. I haven’t tried it because honestly, we don’t have any left. And it’s so easy, there’s no need to meal prep these. But you totally could š
What to serve with sloppy Joe:
So many options, but here’s what we love:
- applesauce with cinnamon
- chips/tater tots
- corn on the cob
- chilled garden side salads (with ranch of course!)
Are these sloppy Joes healthy?
Yes, these sloppy joes offer so much nutrition. Already a great source of protein, I’ve added in some extra veggies.
I don’t try to disguise the veggies, they actually are quite enjoyable here. But they also aren’t questioned because they blend right in.
Sloppy, saucy meals are a great time to add in such things. Give it a try!
And you know how I feel about pumpkin by now. Truly one of the easiest ways to “veggie” without chopping. And you really can’t taste it š Catch up on all the benefits here.
I once questioned sloppy joes but now I have a new perspective– any way to serve my family a better, balanced plate is welcome here. And that means you, Joe!
Look for something Similar?
For more pumpkin inspiration, check out:
For more one pot options, check out:
Full Heart
If this recipe infused joy into your day, I’d love to know. Please leave a comment below. And don’t forget to share the gift of easy with others! Tag me so I can see your Sloppy Joe’s š
Healthier Sloppy Joe
Equipment
- large saucepan
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef lean
- 1/2 cup chopped onion frozen
- 1/2 cup spinach frozen and crumbled or fresh and chopped
Sauce
- 1 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar heaping
- 1 tbsp mustard yellow
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree canned
Bun
- 8 hamburger buns slider size
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef, drain and return to heat
- Sprinkle in the onion and spinach, cooking for 3 minutes until softer and spinach wilted
- Spoon Ketchup, pumpkin, mustard and brown sugar onto meat and stir to combine
- Cook until warm throughout, stirring
- Spoon on bun and enjoy!
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