Sloppy Joes

One of my favorite meals as a child was Sloppy Joes.  I haven't been able to find a homemade recipe I was really crazy about until recently.  We played with a few recipes, and ended up with the below - and thankfully everyone loved it!!  We eat on top of potatoes and the girls use wheat rolls, however, one of my recent challengers shared their house fave was over brown rice.  

Sloppy Joes

(about 8 servings)

2 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 lbs raw ground 93% lean ground beef or turkey breast

1/2 tsp sea salt (or Himalayan salt)

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

3 cups tomato sauce

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

6 tbsp all natural tomato paste

2 tbsp pure maple syrup (or raw honey)

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.

3. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Transfer onion mixture to a medium bowl. Set aside.

4. Add turkey to the same skillet; cook, over medium heat, stirring frequently to break up the turkey, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the turkey is no longer pink.

5. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Add onion mixture, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and maple syrup. Mix well. Reduce heat to medium low; gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until sauce has thickened.

Serve Turkey Sloppy Joes open faced on top of baked potato, over 1 cup zucchini noodles, or over cooked whole wheat pasta, quinoa, or brown rice.