Sloppy Joes. Ground beef with lots of veggies, and not overpowering with the ketchup. A healthier and tastier take on Sloppy Joes.
Sloppy Joes have not historically been my thing. Something about all that ketchup is just, eh. But, this recipe, it makes Sloppy Joes my thing.
Yesterday was a tough day for my family as we had to have our dog put down. She was a beautiful, 12 year old German Shepard. She belonged to my husband well before I ever met him, and to be honest, the dog and I had a strained relationship. I think she thought of me as her wicked step mother – we both wanted all the attention of my husband. But, I loved her. I loved how much happiness she brought my husband and our kids. I loved how she would go to the door any time someone came, putting herself between us and whoever was knocking. I loved how she’d go to the basement with me when I just didn’t want to go alone. Her body had been failing for her quite some time, and this week, it just couldn’t go any longer.
Today was a tough day of missing her, and an even tougher day of seeing my husband miss her. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you value someone, or in this case, a dog, until they aren’t there. It’s funny, because I’ve always complained about how much I have to vacuum to get up the dog hair around my house, but today, I can’t bring myself to vacuum up the hair. Somehow it’s comforting to see it around, and I’m not ready for it go. It’s also serving as a reminder that people have things that irritate me, like the dog did with her shedding, but my time with everyone and thing is limited, so I hope that I’m able to look past those things and take advantage of every bit of time I’m given. I hope that I’m even able to love those things that are like the ‘dog hair’, as they’re are part of someone I value.
I know most of you aren’t reading this to hear about my dog, and are probably thinking, “just get on with the ketchup ratios already.” So, here is the recipe for my version of Sloppy Joes. It’s not over powering with the ketchup, and full of veggies. This is a healthier, and I think tastier, version of Sloppy Joes.
Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 onion chopped finely
- 1 green bell pepper chopped finely
- 1 large carrot chopped finely
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef with seasoned salt and onion powder. Cook, stirring frequently, until beef is fully browned, about 5-6 minutes.
- Once beef is cooked, remove from skillet with a slotted spoon. Drain all but about 2 tbsp grease in skillet.
- Add chopped onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic to skillet. Cook until veggies are softened, about 7-8 minutes.
- Return beef to skillet and add all of the remaining ingredients. Stir together well.
- Turn heat to low and simmer, stirring ocassionally for 15 minutes. Serve on buns.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: All nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is not guaranteed.
If you enjoyed these Sloppy Joes, you might also enjoy these other SugarSpicesLife recipes:
Emily’s Baked Ziti
Homemade Hamburgers
Cheesy Chicken Lasagna
Korean Beef Bowl
