Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes give you all that sweet, tangy, saucy Sloppy Joe goodness in a hearty dinner without the usual sandwich bun… and you won’t miss it!
If you’ve been making the same ground beef recipes every week, this is a delicious way to change things up without buying a bunch of unusual ingredients.
The baked sweet potatoes are soft and naturally sweet, which tastes great with the savory beef filling. A little melted cheddar cheese on top makes everything even better.
It’s a great combination, especially when you want a filling dinner that doesn’t need much on the side.
You’ll need a baking sheet for the sweet potatoes and a large skillet for the Sloppy Joe filling. Most of the cooking time is spent waiting for the potatoes to bake, so you can prepare the beef while they’re in the oven.
Each serving has 31 grams of protein, making this a great high protein dinner option. You can also prepare the Sloppy Joe filling ahead of time, which is handy when you know the next evening will be busy.
Why You’ll Love This Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
A Delicious Change From Regular Sloppy Joes
You still have that familiar sweet and tangy beef filling, but serving it inside a baked sweet potato gives dinner a completely different feel. The soft potato tastes great with the rich, savory sauce.
31 Grams of Protein Per Serving
With lean ground beef, cheddar cheese, and sweet potatoes, each serving provides 31 grams of protein. It’s a hearty main dish that can easily be served on its own.
Great for Using Ground Beef
If you have a pound of ground beef in the refrigerator and want something other than burgers, tacos, or spaghetti, this recipe gives you another tasty option.
Easy to Prepare Ahead
The Sloppy Joe filling can be made in advance and refrigerated. When dinner time arrives, you can warm the filling while the sweet potatoes bake.
Familiar Ingredients
You won’t need anything unusual to make the homemade Sloppy Joe sauce. Most of the seasonings and condiments are common pantry staples, so there’s a good chance you already have several of them.
Ingredient Substitutions
93% Lean Ground Beef
Ground turkey or ground chicken can replace the beef. Both work great with the Sloppy Joe sauce, although the filling will have a slightly lighter taste.
Yellow Onion
White onion or sweet onion can be used instead. Sweet onion gives the filling a slightly milder flavor.
Green Bell Pepper
Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers work great if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Ketchup
Tomato sauce can be used instead, but the filling will be less sweet and tangy. You may need to adjust the brown sugar and mustard to taste.
Worcestershire Sauce
Soy sauce can replace Worcestershire sauce in a pinch. Start with a little less since it has a saltier taste and won’t provide the same tanginess.
Yellow Mustard
Dijon mustard is a good alternative. It has a sharper flavor, so you can start with a smaller amount.
Brown Sugar
Honey or maple syrup can replace the brown sugar. Either one adds sweetness to balance the tangy tomato sauce.
Smoked Paprika
Regular paprika works if you don’t have smoked paprika. You’ll lose the smoky flavor, but the filling will still taste great.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Mild cheddar, Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack are all good options. Choose whichever cheese you enjoy or already have in the refrigerator.
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Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 pound 93% lean ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoon sliced green onions optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scrub the sweet potatoes and pat them dry with paper towels. Pierce each one several times with a fork.
- Rub the sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork.
- While the sweet potatoes bake, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and green bell pepper. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and the vegetables are tender.
- Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and water.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
- Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes.
- Slice each sweet potato lengthwise without cutting completely through the bottom. Gently press the ends toward the center to open each potato, then fluff the flesh with a fork.
- Divide the Sloppy Joe filling evenly among the 4 sweet potatoes.
- Sprinkle the stuffed sweet potatoes evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Return the sweet potatoes to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Choose Similar Sizes – Select sweet potatoes that are close in size so they finish baking around the same time. Adjust the Sweetness – If you prefer a less sweet Sloppy Joe filling, reduce the brown sugar slightly. You can also use a ketchup with less added sugar. Keep the Filling Thick – A thick Sloppy Joe sauce stays inside the sweet potatoes more easily. If the filling seems too thin, allow it to simmer a little longer. Make the Filling Ahead – Prepare the beef filling up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate it in an airtight container. This makes dinner preparation easier on busy evenings.Storing and Reheating
Refrigerating – Store leftover stuffed sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheating in the Oven – Place the stuffed sweet potatoes in an oven-safe baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and heat at 350°F until the filling reaches 165°F. Reheating in the Microwave – Place one stuffed sweet potato on a microwave-safe plate. Cover loosely and heat in short intervals until heated through to 165°F. Freezing – The Sloppy Joe filling freezes great on its own. Allow it to cool, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Nutrition
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