I just got back home this week from Austin, TX for Paleo f(x) and what an experience that was!  Meeting my instagram friends in real life, listening to amazing talks on diet and lifestyle, and meeting the folks behind some of my favorite paleo-friendly products!  While I recover from information and sensory overload, I thought I’d get this recipe for my Sloppy Joes Stuffed Sweet Potatoes out to you fine people!

Sloppy Joes are a food I remember from my childhood.  That saucy meatiness piled high on a hamburger bun.  It would get all over your hands if you tried picking it up.  I’m my father’s daughter so I’m weird about messy food hands.  I was that kid eating sloppy joes with a fork.  I’m sure there’s a part of my childhood that I missed out on because of this, but at least my hands were clean!

Now that I’ve ditched the prepackaged seasoning mixes that are filled with odd ingredients, I’m always down for recreating some old favorites from real ingredients that are packed with nutrition.

These sloppy joes are filled with veggies to provide a more well-rounded meal that the entire family will enjoy. Even those veggie haters will be on board with this!

Sloppy Joes Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Course: Main Course
Author: Suzie Bauer

Ingredients

  • 4-6 Sweet Potatoes
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 3 stalks Celery diced
  • 3 medium Carrots diced
  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper diced
  • 1 small Onion chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 cups Strained Tomatoes (or unsweetened Tomato Sauce)
  • 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 Tbsp Coconut Aminos
  • 1 1/2 tsp Dried Mustard
  • 1-2 tsp Chili Powder or more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/3 cup Water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Wash sweet potatoes and pierce each with a fork all around, about 5 times.
  • Place on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 45-60 minutes.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until done, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the celery, carrots, bell pepper, onion and garlic to the ground beef and cook down for another 8 minutes.
  • Add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • When the sweet potatoes are done, remove from the oven and let sit to cool until they can be handled.
  • To serve, cut a sweet potato in half, not cutting all the way through, and open by pinching the ends towards each other. Loosen up the potato inside with a fork. Spoon the sloppy joes mixture over the top and serve.