Your favorite meal as a kid just got a healthier upgrade! These Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes pair savory, saucy sloppy joe filling with tender roasted sweet potatoes for a comforting, protein-packed dinner. The perfect Sunday night dinner that the whole family loves.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
- 👪Serves: 4
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 763 kcals and 34 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, ground beef, tomato-based sauce, onion, and seasonings.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: It’s comfort food made healthier, sweet, savory, filling, and perfect for an easy, satisfying dinner without bread.
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Traditional sloppy joes don’t always scream “healthy dinner,” but these sloppy joe stuffed sweet potatoes completely change that story. You get savory, saucy comfort paired with a nutrient-dense sweet potato, making it a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and big flavor all in one. I love serving them on their own or alongside paleo roasted vegetables when I want something cozy but still nourishing.
As a busy mom, I’m constantly trying to hit that sweet spot where dinner is both kid-approved and something I feel good about serving. These sweet potato sloppy joes do exactly that; they're similar to why dairy-free Shepherd's pie is such a staple in our house. They’re naturally dairy and gluten-free, easy to adapt to paleo if needed, and honestly, one of my favorite ways to use up leftover baked sweet potatoes, right up there with gluten-free sweet potato casserole.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Delicious: Pan-fried ground beef seasoned with your favorite flavors to create a juicy and savory mixture on top of roasted sweet potatoes.
- Versatile: You can easily make this recipe dairy-free, gluten-free, or paleo-friendly depending on your substitutions and add-ons.
- Make in advance: Both the sweet potatoes and the sloppy joe mix can be made the night before to make this a great weeknight dinner.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Worcestershire sauce: Make sure to triple-check your Worcestershire sauce and ensure it’s gluten-free, as it’s one of the main hidden sources of gluten.
- Ground beef: We use extra lean ground beef, but any will do. You can also switch it up to use ground turkey or chicken as well.
- Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite vegan cheese and cashew sour cream or omit them altogether. It’s delicious either way. Learn more about the best dairy-free alternatives.
- Make it paleo: Use a homemade Worcestershire sauce in place of the original and make sure to omit the shredded cheese. If you enjoy a cheesier taste, use a bit of nutritional yeast instead.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Toppings and Variations
There are so many fun ways to make your sloppy joe stuffed sweet potato unique! Below are a few of our favorites.
- Toppings: Make a spread on the table and have out some sour cream (cashew sour cream if needed!), sliced green onions, fresh parsley, and diced jalapenos.
- Protein: Though ground beef is classic, ground turkey or venison will work as well and give a tasty new protein source (the same applies to easy venison chili, too)
- Heat: If you like a kick of heat in your meals, add in some red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe mix or a tablespoon of diced jalapenos for a fun flavor.
How To Make Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes
Step 1: If you haven’t already, poke holes in your sweet potatoes, rub them oil, and bake them until tender.
Step 2: Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain grease.
Step 3: Mix the ketchup, Worcestershire and seasonings with ¼ cup of water and pour it into the beef. Bring it to a boil and cook until thickened.
Step 4: Slice the potatoes lengthwise about ¾ way through and mash the inside with a fork.
Step 5: Spoon in the sloppy joe mixture and sprinkle with dairy-free cheese (if using). Bake a few minutes.
Step 6: Remove from the oven and top with your add-ons and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Though the recipe calls for coconut palm sugar (which is paleo-friendly), I omit it most of the time for a beefier taste. Adjust this as per your personal likes and dislikes.
The dairy-free cheese and cashew sour cream are variable. Use what your diet allows, and your taste preferences.
If you want a more savory flavor in the beef, add a splash of smoked paprika and apple cider vinegar to the beef while you’re cooking.
How To Meal Prep and Store Leftovers
Meal prep: These sweet potato sloppy joes can be turned into a 20-minute weeknight dinner if you’re on top of your meal prep game, just like this sheet pan mini meatloaf dinner. Roast the sweet potatoes and make the sloppy joe mixture the night before, letting everything cool before storing in the fridge. When ready to eat, reheat the potatoes, slice them open, and warm the meat mixture (add a splash of water if needed) for an easy dinner.
Leftovers: Let everything cool before storing the sweet potatoes and sloppy joe mixture separately in glass containers. They’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave (cut potatoes into chunks for even heating) or in the oven at a low temperature.
Freezing: I haven’t tried freezing baked potatoes, but you can freeze the sloppy joe mix in a freezer-safe bag once cooled for up to 2 months. When you need it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.
Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes FAQs
A sloppy Joe and a sloppy Jane are essentially the same. However, a sloppy Jane is considered healthier as it is often modified to use leaner meat or made vegan.
The secret to a flavorful sloppy Joe is ensuring the mixture is well seasoned and maintains its moisture from the tomato sauce. Onions, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce all help achieve its unique taste.
You can freeze the sloppy Joe mixture once cooled in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. When you need it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat it until hot, and serve it over roasted sweet potatoes or bread.
More Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes Recipes
If you tried this Healthy Sloppy Joe Sweet Potatoes Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe's
Video
Equipment
- 1 Large sheet pan
Ingredients
For the sweet potatoes
- 4 Sweet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
For the sloppy Joe mix
- 1.5 pounds Ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 cup Ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Coconut palm sugar
- 2 tablespoon Mustard
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce gluten-free
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup Dairy-free cheese shredded, optional
- Green onions optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Thoroughly wash and dry the sweet potatoes. Poke them on all sides with a fork. Rub with oil and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until cooked through. Check by inserting a knife to see if they are tender.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef and break it apart. Cook until browned, for about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain the grease.
- Stir in the ketchup, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and mustard. Add ¼ cup of water to thin the sauce slightly, if needed. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until thickened.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and cut them down the middle about ¾ of the way through. Mash the inside slightly with a fork.
- Spoon in the sloppy joe filling until full, then sprinkle with cheese.
- Place the potatoes back in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with green onion and dollop with sour cream. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby S says
Though they do take a bit more work, this dinner is totally worth it. My kids devour it and I actually have to make extra now!