There’s something about the combo of sweet roasted potatoes with a rich, tangy meat sauce that just feels like a cozy hug in a bowl. This Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe is a fresh twist on a classic favorite, and once you try it, you’ll see why it’s become a go-to in my kitchen.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, I adore this recipe because it takes something familiar and makes it interesting with vibrant flavors and textures. It’s comforting but also packed with nutrients and colors that brighten up your plate—and your mood.
- Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes pairs perfectly with the slightly tangy, savory sloppy joe meat, making every bite a delightful contrast.
- Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a kitchen pro—this recipe is straightforward but feels fancy enough for casual dinners or a weekend treat.
- Family Friendly: Kids and adults alike rave about the bowl format; it’s fun to customize with their favorite toppings.
- Versatile & Nourishing: Packed with protein and vibrant veggies, it’s a hearty meal that keeps you satisfied without being heavy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe lies in its simple, fresh ingredients that come together in harmony. Each has its role, whether it’s adding texture, flavor, or richness. Here’s a quick rundown:

- Sweet Potatoes: These add natural sweetness and a creamy texture when roasted. Look for firm ones without bruises.
- Avocado Oil: Perfect for roasting because of its high smoke point and mild flavor.
- Chili Powder & Garlic Powder: These spices amp up both the sweet potatoes and the meat with warm, savory notes.
- Ground Beef: Lean beef keeps things hearty but not greasy.
- Diced Onion: Adds a sweet crunch as it cooks down in the meat sauce.
- Tomato Sauce & Ketchup: These create the base of the sloppy joe sauce, balancing tanginess with a hint of sweetness.
- Honey: A little touch of sweetness to deepen the flavor without overpowering.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami depth and complexity.
- Dried Mustard & Celery Seed: These subtle spices give character and a slight zing.
- Pickle Slices & Red Onion: For garnishing, they add freshness and crunch that cut through the richness.
Make It Your Way
I love experimenting with this recipe by swapping out the meat or adding in different veggies. It’s such a flexible dish—you can easily tailor it to fit whatever you have on hand or your preferred flavors.
- Vegetarian Variation: I’ve made this with lentils instead of beef for a hearty meatless option that still satisfies.
- Spice It Up: Sometimes I add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder if I’m craving a little heat.
- Add Greens: Tossing some fresh spinach or kale into the mix towards the end adds color and extra nutrition.
- Swap the Oil: Olive oil works fine if you don’t have avocado oil, but I find it changes the flavor slightly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper—this makes cleanup so much easier later. Cut your sweet potatoes into ½-inch cubes; this size ensures they roast evenly and get tender without drying out. Toss the cubes with avocado oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands here—it’s the best way to coat every delicious cube evenly. Roast them for about 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through so they brown nicely on all sides. You want them tender but with a little crispness on the edges—that contrast is what makes the bowl exciting.
Step 2: Cook the Sloppy Joe Meat
While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle a bit of oil in to keep things from sticking. Add the ground beef and diced yellow onion right away. Break up the meat with your spatula as it cooks, stirring until the beef is browned and the onions have softened—usually around 6-8 minutes. Next, sprinkle in the chili powder, dried mustard, celery seed, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well to blend those flavors. Then, add the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Stir until the sauce is fully integrated. Turn the heat down to medium-low and let it cook and thicken for about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick, and watch how the mixture turns into this luscious, thick sauce that clings to every bite.
Step 3: Assemble Your Bowls
Now for the fun part: filling your bowls! Spoon a generous portion of the roasted sweet potatoes into each bowl, followed by a hearty scoop of sloppy joe meat. Top with dill pickle slices and some crunchy sliced red onions for that perfect bite every time. Serve right away for the freshest taste and texture—you don’t want to wait!
Top Tip
From my experience, small details make a big difference in your Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe. These tips help you get restaurant-quality flavors at home without fuss.
- Roast with Care: Don’t overcrowd the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet—give each cube space so they roast instead of steam. This leads to better caramelization and flavor.
- Cook Meat and Onions Together: Cooking the onions with the meat lets their flavors meld and makes the sauce richer.
- Simmer Slowly: Lower the heat once you add the sauce and let it simmer; this thickens up the mix and intensifies taste without burning.
- Pickles Are Crucial: Don’t skip the dill pickles! Their acidity cuts through the richness and adds a fresh crunch that transforms the dish.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe

Garnishes
I always go for a classic combo of dill pickle slices and thinly sliced red onions—they add brightness and that familiar sloppy joe zing. Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of green, especially if I’m serving guests who like a little herbiness. A dollop of Greek yogurt on top can also add a nice tang and creamy texture if you want to mix it up.
Side Dishes
This recipe stands well on its own, but if I’m rounding out the meal, I like to serve simple sides like a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette or roasted Brussels sprouts. Sweet cornbread muffins are a crowd-pleaser alongside, soaking up any extra sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner party, I’ve served these bowls in small cast-iron skillets or mini mason jars—easy to hold and rustic-cool. Also, layering the components in a clear bowl showcases all those beautiful colors. You could even turn it into a taco night by serving the sloppy joe mix and sweet potatoes in soft tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually refrigerate leftovers in separate airtight containers—one for the roasted sweet potatoes and one for the sloppy joe meat—for up to 3 days. Keeping them separate helps maintain their textures when reheating.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the meat portion alone successfully by letting it cool completely, then packing it in freezer-safe containers or bags. It keeps great up to 3 months. The sweet potatoes don’t freeze as well due to their texture but can be added fresh when you reheat the meat.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the sloppy joe meat gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. Reheat the sweet potatoes separately in the oven or microwave to keep them from getting mushy. Then assemble your bowls and add fresh toppings for that just-made feel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can prep the sweet potatoes and the sloppy joe mixture separately a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Reheat just before serving for best taste and texture.
You can substitute with olive oil or another neutral oil you have on hand. Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and a subtle flavor, but olive oil works well in a pinch.
Absolutely! Lentils or plant-based ground 'meats' make great substitutions and soak up that delicious tomato sauce just as well. You might want to adjust cooking times slightly.
Simmer the sloppy joe mixture on low heat for longer, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid evaporates and the sauce clings better to the meat. If it’s still thin, you can add a small sprinkle of cornstarch slurry for extra thickness.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe has become one of those comforting meals I reach for whenever I want something tasty but a bit different from the typical weeknight dinner. It’s wholesome, filling, and genuinely delicious—with just the right balance of sweet and savory that keeps everyone coming back for more. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do. Give it a try and watch it become part of your favorite recipe rotation!
Print
Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe Bowls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sloppy Joe Bowls feature tender roasted sweet potatoes and a savory, saucy ground beef mixture seasoned with a blend of spices and tangy ketchup. Perfect for a hearty, comforting meal that's easy to prepare and assemble.
Ingredients
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into ½ inch cubes (about 3 cups)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sloppy Joe Meat
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
- ¼ teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- Dill pickle slices
- Sliced red onion
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare sweet potatoes: Preheat your oven to 425° F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place the sweet potato cubes on the sheet pan and drizzle with avocado oil, chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss with your hands to coat the sweet potatoes evenly.
- Roast sweet potatoes: Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, tossing the sweet potatoes halfway through cooking to ensure even roasting, until they are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Cook the beef and onions: While the sweet potatoes roast, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle a little oil into the skillet, then add the ground beef and diced yellow onion. Crumble and cook the beef until no longer pink and the onions are tender.
- Add spices and sauce to meat: Stir in chili powder, dried mustard, celery seed, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Pour in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Mix everything thoroughly to coat the beef mixture.
- Simmer the sloppy joe mixture: Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer the meat mixture for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the roasted sweet potatoes and the sloppy joe meat evenly among four bowls. Top each bowl with dill pickle slices and sliced red onion or your preferred toppings. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Sweet potatoes can be peeled or left unpeeled based on preference.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the sloppy joe meat a few minutes longer.
- Pickles and red onions add a nice tangy crunch; consider adding shredded cheese or fresh herbs as additional toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg



Leave a Reply