Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls are the ultimate cozy dinner mashup—savory, saucy ground beef piled generously over caramelized sweet potatoes, then loaded with your favorite tangy, crunchy toppings. Every bite is hearty, color-packed comfort food with a little bit of wholesome flair!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort Food: The rich, tangy Sloppy Joe filling paired with caramelized sweet potatoes creates a bowl that warms you from the inside out.
- Bold, Balanced Flavors: Sweet, salty, savory, and a kiss of umami—each layer brings something exciting to the table!
- Family-Friendly & Customizable: Kids and adults alike can top their bowls just the way they like—make it mild or give it a spicy kick.
- Naturally Gluten-Free: Swapping buns for roasted sweet potatoes keeps things wholesome and works for many dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things straightforward, but every ingredient shines—each one adds depth, crave-worthy texture, or that essential pop of flavor. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to build your perfect Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls!
- Sweet Potatoes: Dice them bite-sized so they get caramelized edges and creamy centers—skin on or off, your choice!
- Avocado Oil: This high-heat oil helps the sweet potatoes roast up beautifully. Substitute with light olive oil if needed.
- All-Purpose Seasoned Salt: Instantly amps up flavor; use your favorite blend for a hint of spice or smokiness.
- Dried Parsley & Black Pepper: These simple seasonings add herby freshness and just the right amount of kick.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Adds an irresistibly savory, nutty crust to the roasted sweet potatoes.
- Lean Ground Beef: The base of our Sloppy Joe—choose 90% lean for a meaty but not greasy sauce.
- Ketchup: The key to classic Sloppy Joe tang and body.
- Prepared Mustard & White Vinegar: These brighten things up and enhance all the other flavors.
- Sugar: Just a little, to balance out the tanginess of the sauce.
- Paprika, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: These pantry spices build depth and deliver that signature warmth.
- Optional Toppings (Pickled Red Onions, Dill Pickles, Jalapeños, Chives or Green Onions): Pick and choose your faves for a fresh, crunchy finish!
Variations
One of my favorite parts about these Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls? You can totally tailor them to what your family loves—or whatever you happen to have on hand. Go bold, go mild, go plant-based… just make them yours.
- Veggie-Packed: Add finely chopped bell peppers, shredded carrots, or zucchini to the Sloppy Joe mix for extra color, nutrients, and flavor.
- Make It Meatless: Swap the beef for lentils, plant-based ground, or finely chopped mushrooms for a veggie-forward version that’s just as hearty.
- Spicy Southwest: Use chipotle powder instead of paprika, and top with jalapeños, cilantro, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the parmesan or use your favorite dairy-free alternative; the roasted sweet potatoes will still caramelize beautifully!
How to Make Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls
Step 1: Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Pop a big rimmed baking sheet in your oven and preheat both together. This extra step gives you that sizzle when your sweet potato cubes hit the hot pan. Toss your diced sweet potatoes with avocado oil, seasoned salt, dried parsley, black pepper, and parmesan—make sure every piece is nicely coated for the ultimate flavor crust. Once the oven and pan are hot, carefully add the sweet potatoes in a single layer, then roast until tender and deeply golden.
Step 2: Prepare the Sloppy Joe Sauce
While those sweet potatoes work their magic, start on your saucy Sloppy Joe mixture. In a large skillet or shallow pot, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it up as you go. Drain any excess fat, then stir in ketchup, water, sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let everything simmer together until rich and fragrant—the aroma alone is irresistible!
Step 3: Prep Your Toppings
While your sauce thickens and your potatoes are roasting, slice up any toppings you love. Pickled red onions lend zing, fresh jalapeños bring heat, and dill pickles add crunch—plus, snipped chives or green onions for a pop of color and mild oniony bite.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
Time to build your bowl! Spoon those caramelized sweet potatoes generously into each dish, top with a ladle of saucy Sloppy Joe, and scatter on your favorite toppings. Serve immediately, before anyone else sneaks a bite from your bowl!
Pro Tips for Making Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls
- Hot Pan, Best Potatoes: Preheating your baking sheet ensures the sweet potatoes start caramelizing as soon as they hit the pan—no mush!
- Drain the Beef Thoroughly: Take a moment to drain the cooked ground beef really well before adding the sauce—this keeps your Sloppy Joe topping rich, not greasy.
- Customize Your Toppings: Set out a topping bar for family or guests—everyone can build their own dream Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowl.
- Batch Prep Friendly: Double the Sloppy Joe mixture and freeze extras for super-easy weeknight dinners down the road.
How to Serve Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls
Garnishes
The garnish options are half the fun here! A handful of pickled red onions brightens each bite, while crunchy dill pickles and a snip of chives or green onions add color and flavor. If you like a kick, go bold with raw jalapeños for heat. Feeling extra? A tiny sprinkle of extra parm right before serving never hurts.
Side Dishes
Honestly, these bowls are a full meal on their own, but if you want to bulk up the table, try a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, or even a wedge of buttered cornbread on the side. Anything fresh and crunchy pairs beautifully with the saucy, rich flavors of Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family night, serve everything deconstructed and let everyone build their own bowls at the table. You can also use the Sloppy Joe mixture as a filling for loaded sweet potato “boats” for an impressive party platter. Mini versions in ramekins are adorable for a brunch or potluck spread!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls (lucky you!), store the sweet potatoes and meat mixture separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days and are easy to portion for lunch or a quick reheat later.
Freezing
The Sloppy Joe beef filling freezes like a dream—just let it cool, transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container, and it’ll keep for up to two months. While sweet potatoes can be frozen, their texture softens, so for best results, make those fresh when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the sweet potatoes and Sloppy Joe mixture separately—either in the microwave or covered in a low oven to preserve their flavors and textures. Add fresh toppings and you’re ready to dig in again!
FAQs
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Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Either turkey or chicken works beautifully for Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls. Just be sure to use a little oil when browning lean poultry, as it naturally has less fat than beef.
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Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?
Nope! The skins roast up soft and delicious, adding extra fiber and color. Just give them a good scrub before dicing, or peel them if you prefer a smoother bite.
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How can I make these Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls vegetarian?
Try swapping the ground beef for cooked lentils, plant-based ground, or a hearty mix of mushrooms and chopped walnuts—just season well and cook as you would the beef version.
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Can I prep any part of this recipe ahead of time?
The Sloppy Joe sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so feel free to make it ahead and reheat when you need it! For best texture, roast sweet potatoes right before serving.
Final Thoughts
I hope these Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls bring plenty of color, comfort, and pure fun to your table! Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want something fresh and exciting for dinner, this is one recipe you’ll want to make again and again. Dig in and enjoy every saucy, savory bite!
Print
Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Bake, Saute
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls are a delicious twist on the classic comfort food. Roasted sweet potatoes serve as the base for a savory, tangy sloppy joe mixture, topped with optional toppings for added flavor and texture.
Ingredients
For the Sweet Potatoes:
- nonstick spray like avocado oil, ghee oil, or extra-light olive oil
- 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, diced
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose season salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
For the Sloppy Joe Sauce:
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 1/4 cups ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- sliced dill pickles
- pickled red onions
- sliced raw jalapeños
- snipped chives or sliced green onions
Instructions
- Make the Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F (or 200°C). Toss diced sweet potatoes with avocado oil, season salt, parsley, black pepper, and parmesan. Spread on a preheated baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Cook ground beef in a pan until browned. Drain excess fat and add ketchup, water, sugar, mustard, vinegar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat through.
- Assemble: Divide roasted sweet potatoes and sloppy joe mixture among bowls. Top with desired toppings like pickles, onions, jalapeños, and chives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: Approximately 450 kcal
- Sugar: Approximately 15g
- Sodium: Approximately 800mg
- Fat: Approximately 20g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 40g
- Fiber: Approximately 5g
- Protein: Approximately 25g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 75mg
