This is another family favorite packed with a huge helping of veggies. Growing up I remember loving sloppy joes, but back then it was the can or a dry spice packet. This recipe uses all whole foods and a splash of beef broth. It’s the perfect batch ahead recipe and tastes even better after a few days.

Your kids won’t even know it’s loaded with sweet potato, celery and red pepper. Serve with a few tater tots and a small side salad for the perfect weeknight meal. You could even freeze and toss it on low in the crockpot for an even easier weeknight meal.

Hidden Veggie Sloppy Joes

Kelly @eclecticmommy

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 c. red onion chopped
1/2 c. celery chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey
1/2 c. low-sodium beef broth
1/2 c. red bell pepper puree
1/2 c. sweet potato puree
1/4 c. tomato paste
1/4 c. water
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. chili powder or to taste
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
whole-grain hamburger or hot-dog buns

Instructions

Steam red peppers and puree. Steam sweet potatoes, puree; adding some cooking liquid to achieve a thinner consistency.
Heat a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat.
Add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until the onion and celery soften.
Add the meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and brown.
Add remaining ingredients, mix until combined. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10-15 minutes.
Spoon the mixture over buns and serve.

Notes

-Make your purees ahead of time in large batched and freeze in ice cube trays.
-Use a classic potato masher for perfect ground beef crumbles.
-Make mixture ahead of time. Tastes even better after sitting for a day or two.
-Serve on hot dog buns for a less messy sloppy joe.

Don’t they look so delicious? We love hidden veggie recipes around here. Most of our tomato based recipes have an added boost from carrot, sweet potatoes, or red pepper puree. Checkout these other great easy weeknight meals and hidden veggie recipes.