Perfection is overrated. These Meatless Sloppy Joes? Just the right kind of messy.
As a kid I remember the Sloppy Joe seasoning my mom would buy to mix with the few other ingredients needed. It was a quick and easy meal for a working family to make ensuring there was time to still sit around the table and talk about our day. Some of the best staples during the week are the meals that are flavorful but don't require hours of prep and cook time.
These vegetarian Meatless Sloppy Joes swap out the ground beef for brown lentils instead. Although you won't find any meat in this recipe you'll still find delicious, warming spices, tomato sauce, and vegetables that round out that classic sloppy joe flavor. We stack the sloppy joe mixture on a Portuguese roll, topped with melty, fresh mozzarella. You know...these Italian's with their mozz. 🤣
Meatless Sloppy Joe Ingredients
The classic flavors you love, reimagined without the meat.
- Brown Lentils
- Onions
- Green Bell Pepper
- Garlic
- Tomato Sauce
See recipe card for quantities.
Meatless Sloppy Joe Storage
Store the Sloppy Joe Lentils separately from the dry ingredients (buns) in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Heat and recombine when ready.
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📖 Recipe
Meatless Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 cup Brown Lentils
- 1 cup Carrots, Chopped
- 1 cup Celery, Chopped
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, Chopped
- ½ cup Onion, Chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 8 oz Can of Tomato Sauce
- 1 cup Water
- ½ teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Rinse and Cook your Brown Lentils according to the package instructions.
- Once the lentils are cooked, put to the side until we are ready too incorporate.
- Chop up Celery, Carrots, Onion, and Garlic.
- Heat olive oil on Medium heat in a Large saute pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chopped Celery, Carrots, and Onions. Stir and Cook until tender.
- Add the chopped Garlic, stir. Add the Tomato Paste and coat the cooked vegetables.
- Add spices, salt, pepper, and brown sugar to the pan. Continue to stir over medium heat.
- Add the cooked lentils, the tomato sauce, and water. Stir to combine.
- Keep on Medium-High heat until the ingredients come to a steady simmer.
- Once simmering, lower the heat to Low and cover.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes covered, stirring every so often.
- Add the Apple cider Vinegar. Stir. Taste for more salt, pepper, or seasoning needed.
- Remove from heat and assemble your Sloppy Joes
Charolette says
Thanks, I liked this.