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Sloppy Joe Sweet Potatoes Recipe Card

chef Laya
Fluffy roasted sweet potatoes stuffed with a thick, savory homemade sloppy Joe ground beef filling, then topped with melted cheddar and fresh toppings. This easy, healthy-inspired weeknight dinner is hearty, customizable, and meal-prep friendly.
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Prepr Time 15 minutes
Cooking Time 50 minutes
ToTal Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Type of plate Dinner
kitchen American
Serving 4

Ingredients
  

For the baked sweet potatoes

  • 4 medium sweet potatoes scrubbed and dried
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil optional
  • Pinch of salt optional

For the sloppy Joe filling

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 bell pepper finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For serving

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
  • Sliced green onions optional
  • Sour cream optional
  • Diced avocado or sliced jalapeños optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork. Rub with optional olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until fork-tender.
  • While the sweet potatoes bake, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
  • Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar or maple syrup, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the ground beef. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Remove baked sweet potatoes from the oven. Make a lengthwise slit in each potato, gently press the ends to open, and fluff the inside with a fork.
  • Spoon sloppy Joe filling over each sweet potato. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, if using.
  • Return the stuffed sweet potatoes to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese melts. Add green onions, sour cream, avocado, or jalapeños before serving.

Notes

Bake sweet potatoes until fully fork-tender so they can be fluffed and stuffed easily. Simmer the sloppy Joe filling uncovered until it is thick enough to cling to the beef rather than becoming watery.