You've never had a sloppy joe until you've had a sloppy joe made from scratch. Crammed full of veggies, big on flavour and huge on comfort, these sloppy joes are a great way to get your daily vegetable servings into picky eaters. As if they weren't wonderful enough, they're kind to the wallet and half-your-brain-tied-behind-your-back easy. If you're feeding a big family, I highly recommend doubling or tripling this recipe (most slow-cookers can handle the upsize with no difficulty) and freezing the extras for last-minute meals.
Ingredients
3lbs.lean ground beef or turkey
2large onionsfinely chopped
1large red bell pepperseeded and finely chopped
2large ribs celeryfinely chopped
1small carrotpeeled and finely chopped or grated
3clovesgarlicpeeled and minced
3 6-oz.cans tomato paste
1/3c.cider vinegarplus extra for adjusting flavor after cooking
1/3c.firmly packed light brown sugarplus extra for adjusting flavor after cooking
3teaspoonspaprika
2teaspoonsdry mustard
2teaspoonssalt
2teaspoonschili powdermore or less, to taste
1teaspoonsfresh ground black peppermore or less, to taste
½teaspoonhot pepper sauce
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium high heat, cook the beef with the onions, bell pepper, celery, carrot, and garlic, breaking up meat with a fork or wooden spoon until meat is lightly browned. Drain meat mixture and remove to a slow cooker, adding remaining ingredients. Stir until thoroughly combined, cover and cook on low for six to seven hours. Adjust flavor by adding additional brown sugar and vinegar to taste, if desired.
Serve filling loosely piled on rolls with choice of toppings.
To Freeze:
Cool the leftovers completely, scoop into a pre-labeled (with contents and date) resealable zipper bags in one-meal-portions. Close the zipper partway and squeeze as much air from the bag as you can without spilling the contents. Finish closing the zipper and lay the bag flat, gently squishing the bag to evenly distribute the sloppy joe filling. Lay the bags on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer until solid.
To Reheat:
Snip the top from the freezer bag and empty the contents into a microwave safe bowl or a heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight fitting lid. If microwaving, cover bowl with plastic wrap, venting one side. Thaw first, then microwave on high, stirring every 2 minutes or so, until the filling is hot through. If using the stovetop, add 1/4 cup of water, lid tightly, and warm over low heat, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until the filling is hot through and through.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.