This Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe

Family dinner is something I am passionate about in my house. While it is hard some days with the kid’s schedule or my husband traveling, most days you will find us at the dinner table together eating a shared meal. This healthy sloppy joe recipe was on the menu this week and it was a big hit with everyone in the house.

How do you make a healthy sloppy joe?

The key thing that makes sloppy joes unique is that the sauce is slightly sweet. Or, at least, that is what my husband tells me. Rather than adding sugar to this recipe, you puree medjool dates in just a tiny bit of water and add the puree to the sloppy joe recipe.

It adds a touch of natural sweetness without resorting to actual sugar. You can serve this healthy sloppy joe recipe over a baked potato like I did or you can serve it in the traditional way by putting it on a bun.

Either way, the sauce is easy to make and can be made up on the weekend and reheated if you are short on time. Reheated leftovers taste just as good as they did when you first served them!

 

Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe

Is a healthy sloppy joe recipe even possible? YES! This easy dinner recipe is Whole30 approved, Paleo, and gluten free. It is also absolutely delicious! Served over baked potatoes, it’s an easy weeknight meal for families.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

This Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe is Perfect for Family Dinner!

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This easy dinner recipe is Whole30 approved, Paleo, and gluten free. It is also absolutely delicious! Served over baked potatoes, it's an easy weeknight meal for families.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
• 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 6 ounce can of tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup water (reserved)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for serving
• baked potatoes (one per person) or rolls for serving

Instructions

1. In a large pot, saute the ground beef until almost cooked through.
2. Add the chopped peppers and onion. Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, apple cider vinegar and salt.
4. Simmer the mixture over medium heat while you prepare the dates.
5. In a small saucepan, add the 3 dates and the water. Bring to a simmer and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Place the dates in a small mixer with just enough of the reserved water to puree them.
6. Add the date puree to the sloppy joe mixture and simmer 30 minutes more.
7. To serve, add sauce to the top of a baked potato or inside a roll. Top with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 653mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 17gProtein: 24g

Nutrition information not always accurate

 

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