Sloppy Joe Casserole, Real Dietitians.com

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

For the Mashed Potatoes Combine 2 lbs peeled and chopped Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, 4 smashed garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon salt in a large pot on the stovetop. Add enough water to cover the potatoes by 1-2 inches. Bring to a boil, then decrease the heat just enough to prevent the water from boiling over. Cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a sharp knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Then, drain the potatoes and reserve ⅓ cup of the cooking water in the pot with the potatoes. Mash with a potato masher until light and fluffy. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. (If you don’t have a large oven-safe skillet, see Tips.) When hot, add the oil, onion, and peppers. Cook 5–8 minutes or until the onion starts to soften, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Add the beef and garlic to the skillet. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and almost cooked through, 10-12 minutes.

Step 4

To the skillet, add the tomato paste, water, mustard, coconut aminos, vinegar, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook 5–7 minutes or until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Step 5

Spoon the mashed potatoes over the sloppy joe mixture in 6 evenly-spaced mounds. Spread the potatoes out to cover all but the very edge of the surface. Bake for 10 minutes or until hot and the edges are bubbling.

Step 6

Serve topped with chopped fresh parsley, Steamed green beans or broccoli make a great side.

Step 7

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Step 8

Notes: If you don’t have a large oven-safe skillet, you can make the sloppy joe filling in a large skillet of any kind. Then, transfer the filling to a 9x13-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray, then proceed with baking.