Sloppy Joe Sweet Potatoes (Print Page)
Spiced ground beef Sloppy Joe filling served over tender roasted sweet potatoes for a comforting meal.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium sweet potatoes
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Meats
05 - 1 lb ground beef (ground turkey or plant-based mince may be substituted)
→ Sauces & Liquids
06 - 1 cup tomato sauce
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free variety if needed)
09 - 2 tbsp ketchup
10 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
11 - 1/2 cup beef or vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
14 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Optional Toppings
17 - Chopped fresh parsley
18 - Shredded cheddar cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 40–45 minutes until easily pierced with a knife and tender throughout.
02 - While the sweet potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar. Season with smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the broth, stir well to combine, and simmer for 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
05 - Once baked, split each sweet potato open lengthwise and fluff the interior flesh with a fork.
06 - Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture generously over each split sweet potato. Garnish with chopped parsley or shredded cheddar cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sweet potato acts like an edible bowl, soaking up every drop of that tangy, spiced sauce without needing bread.
- It comes together on a single sheet pan and one skillet, which means cleanup is almost nonexistent.
- You can swap the protein for turkey or lentils and it still tastes like a meal people actually want to repeat.
02 -
- Do not skip pricking the sweet potatoes with a fork because trapped steam can actually cause them to burst in the oven and create a mess you will not forget.
- The filling will look too liquid right after you add the broth but trust the simmer because it transforms into a thick, glossy sauce if you give it those full ten minutes.
03 -
- Let the sweet potatoes rest for two minutes after pulling them from the oven before splitting because the steam can burn your fingers and patience pays off here.
- Toasting the smoked paprika in the hot pan for about fifteen seconds before adding the liquids blooms the flavor and makes the entire dish taste deeper and more complex.