Vegan Sloppy Joes using lentils, sweet bell peppers and onions, and McCormick Sweet and Smoky Sloppy Joes Skillet Sauce!
As a child, my favorite lunch in the school cafeteria was Sloppy Joes. As I inched down the long lunch line, I watched jolly hair-netted lunch ladies ladle a piping hot chunky tomato sauce filled with ground beef and onions over steaming hot buns, and was filled with eager anticipation. No matter what else was happening that day – losing my homework, leaving overdue library books at home, or getting bad marks on a pop quiz – this lunch was something that made me feel good about life. It reminded me that in the midst of my 8-year-old angst, there was hope.
I haven’t had a Sloppy Joe in years now, decades in fact. But as soon as I saw McCormick’s Sweet and Smoky Sloppy Joes, I knew I had to try it – vegetarian style. The skillet sauce was spot on perfect, with its balance of spices and smoky flavor, full of the natural flavors I’ve come to count on from McCormick. And for bonus points, since I had some cooked lentils on hand in the refrigerator, this dinner came together in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect meal at the end of a busy weekday.
If you have a little more time, and want the sloppy joes of our youth, but want to keep it vegan or vegetarian, these vegan sloppy joes use Beyond Beef as a substitute for ground beef.
Sweet and Smoky Lentil Sloppy Joes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cups thinly sliced red and orange sweet bell peppers
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onions
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 ½ cups cooked lentils
- 1 package McCormick Sweet and Spicy Sloppy Joes Skillet Sauce
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and onions and cook until softened, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and mustard, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the lentils and Skillet Sauce, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the lentils are hot.
- Toast the buns and ladle the skillet sauce over them.
Nutrition
If you need more ideas for easy and healthy dinners with McCormick’s Skillet Sauces, be sure to follow the McCormick’s Easy Skillet Dinners Pinterest Board. There’s loads of great ideas there.
Want to know more about McCormick’s spices and Skillet Sauces? Look through their website, become one of their Facebook fans, check out their photos on Instagram, and follow them on Pinterest.
This post is sponsored by McCormick in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
Cindys Recipes and Writings
This sounds so good, Susan! A nice switch up from meat!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Cindy!!
Katie
I am with you - I used to LOVE sloppy joes! I definitely need to try your version...I hadn't thought to use lentils before! SO smart.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Katie! Even my husband the meat eater loved them!!
Hezzi-D
This looks delicious! We love veggie style burgers and a lentil sloppy joe sounds awesome!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Hezzi-D!!!
Renee
I love this version of sloppy joes with lentils!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
So easy, and so good!! And love this skillet sauce!
Susan
You know I still don't think I've ever had a sloppy joe! Mom never made them growing up and I rarely did the hot lunch thing at school. Your vegetarian version makes me want to change all that though!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
It was by far my favorite lunch day when these were being served up! It amazing how clearly I can remember them 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I love your use of lentils in a sloppy joe! I'm sure I would love these and never miss the meat!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Even my husband the meat-eater didn't miss the meat!!!
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Wowza, this is one scrumptious looking veggie Joe. Pinned.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Jennie!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Susan, I absolutely love that you added cooked lentils to this!!! LOVE!!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I'll be making them on a regular basis now. They were so so easy to make 🙂
Rita Held
Yumm yumm! I've never even considered veg sloppy joes.
My fav recipe is one I developed for Holland House wine vinegars. I love the splash of tang -- for me anyway, the "queen of tarts".
http://getcookingsimply.com/my-favorite-sloppy-joes/
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Oh yes, they would be perfect with some vinegar! Genius idea. I'm going to add that next time around. GREAT idea, Rita!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
These looks amazing!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Serena!!
Norma Chang
You are not going to believe this but I never had a sloppy Joe.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
If it hadn't been for school lunches, I never would have either. I don't think my mom ever made them at all, Norma. So I totally understand!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
This is going on my Friday Lent menu!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Yay!!! I hope you and your family like them Brianne!!
Liz
I love lentils and they're perfect for a meatless sloppy joe!!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
They're perfect in a meatless sloppy joe - even my husband loved them!
Oui, Chef
I LOVE sloppy joes. I LOVE lentils. So happy right now to have found this, thanks, Susan!
cheri
What a clever idea Susan, I bet my husband would not even miss the meat.
Catherine
Dear Susan, this lentil soup sloppy joe is my idea of a delicious sandwich...the messier the better. It sounds wonderful! xo, Catherine
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Catherine - I completely agree on messy sandwiches!!