Smokey (Not so) Sloppy Joes

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Smokey (Not so) Sloppy Joes

I grew up loving the typical messy, saucy Sloppy Joes!!  It was a dinner staple in our house.  Fast forward about 20 years, and it just doesn't have the same effect on me as it used to.  But THESE sloppy joes, MMMmmmm!!!!  They are filled with veggies, have a smokey flavor, and are 100% guilt free.  I chose to put them on sweet potato slices, because I love sweet potatoes, but use whatever "bun" you like.  

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 lbs ground beef (93% lean)
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes
  • 3 Tablespoons worstershire sauce 
  • 3 Tablespoons liquid smoke
  • 3 ounce tomato paste
  • 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2-3 teaspoons coconut sugar
  • 3 teaspoons sea salt

For the "bun"

  • 2 sweet potatoes, sliced 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick
  • sea salt
  • cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.  Toss sweet potato slices in a large bowl with cooking spray and sea salt.  Arrange sweet potato slices on baking sheet making sure they are not touching.  Give the sweet potatoes another quick spray with cooking oil.  Cook for 20-25 minutes, turning once half way through.  Keep an eye on the sweet potatoes at about 18 minutes into cooking to be sure they do not burn.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat.  Add onion and bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients, adjusting salt as needed, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.  

Once sweet potatoes are done, top it off with a few scoops of sloppy joe mixture.  Enjoy!!