Healthy Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Rainbow Slaw

These homemade healthy sloppy joes feature a rich, sweet, and savory sauce, hidden veggies, and protein-packed ground beef. Throw everything into the slow cooker and come home to a family-friendly meal everyone will look forward to. Scoop them inside a sweet potato or serve them on top of your favorite hamburger buns.

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Roast the Sweet Potatoes Preheat the oven to 200°C. Wash and dry the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Slice each sweet potato lengthwise into two equal halves. Brush the cut surfaces lightly with olive oil and season with smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. Place cut-side down on a lined baking tray. Roast for 35–45 minutes, or until the flesh is soft and easily pierced with a fork. Once cooked, turn the sweet potatoes over and gently fluff the flesh with a fork.

Step 2

Prepare the Sloppy Joe Vegetables While the sweet potatoes roast, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for approximately 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, red bell pepper and grated courgette. Continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables should soften without becoming overly browned.

Step 3

Brown the Beef Add the lean beef mince to the frying pan. Break it apart using a wooden spoon. Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mince is browned and cooked through. Carefully drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Prepare the Sloppy Joe Sauce Add the following ingredients to the cooked beef and vegetables: - Tomato passata - Tomato paste - Maple syrup - Coconut aminos - Apple cider vinegar - Mustard - Smoked paprika - Chilli powder - Onion powder - Ground cumin - Salt and black pepper Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly combined. The sauce should have a rich red colour and a thick, slightly sticky consistency.

Step 5

Add the Lentils and Simmer Stir the cooked brown lentils into the Sloppy Joe mixture. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for approximately 10–15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking. If the mixture becomes too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency. The finished Sloppy Joe filling should be thick enough to sit inside the sweet potatoes without running off. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Step 6

Prepare the Rainbow Slaw In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, grated carrot, cucumber and spring onion. In a separate small bowl, whisk together: - Lemon juice - Olive oil - Dijon mustard - Optional maple syrup - Salt and black pepper Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Toss gently until evenly coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve. For the best texture, prepare the slaw shortly before serving so the vegetables remain crisp.

Step 7

Assemble the Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Place two roasted sweet potato halves on each plate. Gently press the centre of each half with a fork to create space for the filling. Divide the warm Sloppy Joe mixture evenly between the four sweet potato halves. Spoon the filling generously over the soft sweet potato flesh. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or spring onions.

Step 8

Serve Divide the crunchy rainbow slaw between the two plates. Serve immediately while the sweet potatoes and Sloppy Joe filling are warm and the slaw is cool and crisp. Finish with an optional squeeze of fresh lemon juice.