HEALTHY SLOPPY JOES WITH LENTILS

Healthy Sloppy Joes with Lentils image

This version of Sloppy Joes ups the nutrition ante by swapping the meat for lentils, and adding in extra veggies. Adjust this recipe to how you prefer your Sloppy Joes--make them sweeter with additional molasses, spicier with additional chili powder, or tangier with additional mustard. Serve warm, with your favorite rolls or buns, and top with sliced red onion and fresh spinach or lettuce, if desired.

Provided by Kim

Categories Main Dishes Sandwich Recipes Sloppy Joe Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
4 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons molasses, or more to taste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¾ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
6 medium hamburger buns, split

Steps:

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 7 to 9 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cook and stir for 30 seconds. Mix in tomato paste, and cook another 60 seconds, stirring constantly.
Add water, diced tomatoes, and lentils, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until lentils are tender, but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes.
Mix in molasses, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, and salt. Cook, uncovered, an additional 10 minutes, or until mixture has thickened slightly. Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed. Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving on buns with desired toppings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 629.1 calories, Carbohydrate 110 g, Fat 11.1 g, Fiber 11.3 g, Protein 23.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 1235.7 mg, Sugar 10 g