Skip to main content

Garden Sloppy Joes

Healthy vegetable-packed lunch or dinner favorite!
Video

Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Open faced buns with a saucy meat and vegetable mix.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes: 6 Sandwiches
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped or shredded
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 pound lean ground meat (15% fat turkey, chicken or beef)
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) whole tomatoes, crushed
1 can (8 ounces) mushrooms or ½ pound chopped fresh mushrooms
¼ cup barbecue sauce
6 whole wheat buns, split in half to make 12

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Sauté onions, carrots, green bell pepper and ground meat in a 2 to 3 quart saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, mushrooms and barbecue sauce.
  4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally.
  5. Toast buns if desired. Spoon sauce over bun halves. Serve open-faced.
  6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Add your favorite fresh, canned or frozen chopped vegetables.
  • Try whole wheat English muffins instead of buns. 

Comments

This is really tasty and so easy to make!  A great way to get kids to eat some veggies in something that usually is just meat and sauce.

This a great recipe and an excellent way to sneak vegetables for our kids to eat! I made this recipe as it called for with my summer students. I did however, first brown my meat, drained the fat and than added the vegetables to saute, I waited to add the mushrooms till the last 10 minutes of cooking time since mushrooms cook fast. I modified the recipe by adding 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon paprika to enhance more flavor.   I topped it off with low fat chedder cheese on a whole wheat English muffin. It was delicious! I plan to make this recipe for my family on a regular basis!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Coconut Chicken Salad
Image of Coconut Chicken Salad

Coconut Chicken Salad

This simple and fresh-tasting chicken salad is our version of chicken kelaguen, a favorite recipe from Micronesia. Enjoy the blend of crisp vegetables, chicken, coconut, hot peppers and fresh lemon. Excellent the next day, too!
Prepare:
20 to 30 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
Recipe image

Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

Roasted snap peas with savory soy make this 5 ingredient recipe a tasty and satisfying side dish or snack.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Ranch Dip
Bowl of creamy dip garnished with parsley and served with raw carrots, cherry tomatoes and broccoli.

Ranch Dip

Tangy and flavorful ranch dip that only takes 5 minutes to make!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Baked Bean Medley
A mixture of seasoned beans and bacon is shown in a serving bowl.

Baked Bean Medley

Enjoy this delicious blend of beans and a savory sauce, baked to blend the lightly sweet and salty flavors.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
1 and ½ hours
Makes:
8 Cups
Personal Salad in a Bag
Plastic bag holding salad and dressing.

Personal Salad in a Bag

A customizable salad in a bag that is perfect for a simple lunch. Add your favorite vegetables and salad dressings to make a fast and easy meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Autumn Squash Bisque with Ginger
A bowl of smooth squash soup spiced with ginger and garlic is topped with yogurt and chopped parsley.

Autumn Squash Bisque with Ginger

Delicious soup seasoned with ginger, thyme and pear that’s easy and quick to make for lunch or dinner. Freezes well.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Was this page helpful to you?