Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes are a hearty and flavorful twist on the classic sandwich. With tender roasted sweet potatoes topped with a savory ground beef mixture simmered in Sloppy Joe sauce, this meal is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. It’s filling, fun, and packed with flavor!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 cup ketchup

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons mustard

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon pepper

• 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded

• Green onions (for garnish)

• ½ cup sour cream (for garnish)

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes, poke them with a fork on all sides, rub with olive oil, and place them on the baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until fork-tender.

2. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart as it browns. Drain the excess grease.

3. Stir in ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add ¼ cup of water if needed to thin the sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes until it thickens.

4. Once the sweet potatoes are done, slice them down the middle, leaving the bottom intact. Mash the insides slightly with a fork.

5. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture into the sweet potatoes, top with shredded cheese, and return them to the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

6. Garnish with green onions and a dollop of sour cream. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 793 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 75g

• Protein: 32g

• Fat: 42g

• Saturated Fat: 18g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 16g

• Trans Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 126mg

• Sodium: 1426mg

• Potassium: 1426mg

• Fiber: 8g

• Sugar: 30g

• Vitamin A: 32,846 IU

• Vitamin C: 10mg

• Calcium: 354mg

• Iron: 5mg

The Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and versatile ingredient that brings a natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish. Not only do they add a rich flavor, but they also pack a punch when it comes to health benefits. They’re an excellent source of vitamins, particularly vitamin A, which supports eye health and immune function. Sweet potatoes are also rich in fiber, which aids digestion and helps to keep you feeling full longer. Their natural sweetness complements the savory sloppy joe mixture, creating a perfect balance of flavors. By using sweet potatoes as the base for this dish instead of bread, you’re incorporating a healthier, nutrient-dense option without sacrificing taste or texture.

The Savory Sloppy Joe Filling

The heart of any sloppy joe is the filling, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint. Ground beef is browned and then simmered in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce made from ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. These ingredients combine to create a rich, flavorful sauce that’s both sweet and savory, with just the right amount of acidity from the ketchup and tang from the mustard. Garlic powder and onion powder bring depth to the dish, ensuring that every bite is full of bold, mouthwatering flavor. The Worcestershire sauce adds a bit of umami, making the filling even more satisfying.

Simmering the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes allows the sauce to thicken, creating a hearty consistency that perfectly coats the ground beef. The addition of a little water helps to adjust the texture if needed, ensuring that the filling is neither too dry nor too soupy. The result is a flavorful, thick sloppy joe mixture that holds up well inside the sweet potato “buns,” making it easy to serve without the mess that often comes with traditional sloppy joes.

A Cheesy, Melty Topping

To make this dish even more indulgent, a generous topping of shredded mild cheddar cheese is added to the sweet potatoes after they’re filled with the sloppy joe mixture. The cheese melts beautifully in the oven, creating a gooey, comforting layer that binds all the ingredients together. The cheddar cheese brings a creamy, savory richness that balances the sweetness of the sweet potatoes and the tanginess of the sloppy joe sauce. This melty topping is one of the best parts of the dish, adding texture and flavor that everyone will love.

Roasting the Sweet Potatoes to Perfection

Roasting the sweet potatoes is a key step in this recipe. By roasting them in the oven, the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes is intensified, and the texture becomes soft and tender, perfect for scooping up the sloppy joe filling. The process is simple: just wash and dry the sweet potatoes, poke a few holes in them with a fork, rub them with olive oil, and roast them until fork-tender. Roasting at 425°F ensures that the sweet potatoes cook evenly and develop a slightly caramelized exterior, which adds even more depth of flavor to the dish.

Once roasted, the sweet potatoes are sliced down the middle, creating a “boat” that’s ready to be filled with the savory sloppy joe mixture. The insides of the sweet potatoes are mashed slightly with a fork, allowing them to absorb some of the flavors from the filling while providing a soft, smooth texture. This step also ensures that the sweet potatoes stay intact, creating a sturdy vessel for the sloppy joe mixture and cheese.

A Fun and Filling Meal

What makes Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes so appealing is their versatility and fun presentation. Instead of serving a traditional sandwich, these Sloppy Joes are presented in a unique and creative way. The sweet potato acts as a vessel for the savory filling, transforming the dish into an exciting twist on a classic favorite. The combination of the tender, sweet potato base with the rich sloppy joe mixture is not only filling but also visually appealing, making it a great option for both casual meals and more special occasions.

The garnish of green onions adds a touch of freshness and color, while the sour cream provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm and savory filling. These toppings enhance the overall dish, adding layers of flavor that balance the richness of the cheese and ground beef. The green onions provide a mild onion flavor, while the sour cream adds a cooling effect that helps cut through the richness of the sloppy joe mixture.

Perfect for Weeknight Dinners and Gatherings

Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes are perfect for a weeknight dinner when you’re looking for something hearty, filling, and easy to prepare. The recipe is quick to assemble, and while the sweet potatoes roast, you can prepare the sloppy joe filling on the stovetop, saving time and minimizing cleanup. These sliders are also great for gatherings, as they can be served as individual portions that are easy to grab and eat. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or feeding the family, these Sloppy Joes are sure to impress.

Customizing Your Sloppy Joes

Like any great recipe, Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes are versatile and can be easily customized to suit different tastes. For a slightly spicier version, you can add a bit of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe filling. If you prefer a different cheese, you can substitute the mild cheddar with sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a blend of cheeses for extra flavor. For a healthier twist, you could swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken, or even use a plant-based ground meat substitute to create a vegetarian version of this dish.

You can also experiment with the toppings. For those who enjoy a bit of crunch, adding pickled jalapeños or fresh cucumber slices would give the dish an extra layer of texture. If you prefer a more tangy flavor, try using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or drizzling a bit of balsamic glaze over the top before serving.

Conclusion

Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes are a delicious and satisfying twist on a classic comfort food. With tender roasted sweet potatoes, a savory and flavorful ground beef filling, and melted cheese, this dish delivers all the elements of a great meal in a fun and creative way. It’s a filling, nutritious option that can be easily customized to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, these Sloppy Joes are sure to be a hit with everyone. Their hearty, savory flavors combined with the sweetness of the sweet potatoes make them a memorable dish that will leave everyone asking for seconds.