Andie's Quick 'n Easy Sneaky Sloppy Joes
This 'Quick 'n Easy Sneaky Sloppy Joe' recipe ingeniously incorporates lentils with lean ground beef, onions, and bell peppers into a savory, tangy sauce made with ketchup, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire. It's a family-friendly dish, ready in under an hour, offering a delicious and hearty meal with added nutritional value from the hidden lentils.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven For cooking lentils and simmering the sloppy joe mixture
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Large Skillet For browning ground beef and sautéing vegetables
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and breaking up ground beef
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup lentils
- 2 onions diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large green bell pepper diced
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup barbeque sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Rinse lentils thoroughly under cold water. Place them in a medium saucepan with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until very tender. Drain any excess liquid.
- While lentils cook, dice the onions and green bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the diced onions and bell pepper to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Stir in the cooked, drained lentils, ketchup, barbeque sauce, and Worcestershire sauce into the beef and vegetable mixture.
- Add the minced garlic and stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the lentils to further break down.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. The lentils should be mostly integrated into the sauce.
- Serve warm on your favorite buns, optionally toasted.
Notes
To ensure the 'sneaky' aspect, cook the lentils until very tender, almost mushy, allowing them to blend seamlessly into the meat mixture. For a richer flavor, consider using a good quality lean ground beef (85/15). Properly caramelize the diced onions and bell pepper before adding the beef; this builds a crucial flavor base. Don't be shy about seasoning; taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or a pinch of smoked paprika for depth. Serve on toasted brioche buns for a superior texture contrast.