Almost Meatless (Healthy) Sloppy Joes

Don't be turned off by the almost meatless (ALEX!) because this recipe is quick, easy, and really tasty! Adapted from Cooking Light, it's healthy and a good pick for a hectic week night. The great thing about this recipe is that you probably already have most of these ingredients...even we did (which never happens). Tastes a bit like chili/bbq...a good choice!

What ya need:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped white onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 ounces ground sirloin(we used ground beef)

1/2 cup grated carrot

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

2 cups canned crushed tomatoes

1 (15.5-ounce) can low-sodium red beans, rinsed, drained, and divided

4 (2-ounce) whole-wheat sandwich rolls, split and toasted 

4 (1/4-inch-thick) red onion slices, separated into rings

What ya do:

 Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, and beef to pan; Mmm...love that sizzle and smell of saute!

Cook 5 minutes or until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally to crumble beef. Yum. We had to drain it a little

Add carrot, chili powder, sugar, oregano, and red pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
 

 Stir in tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 10 minutes or until thickened and carrot is tender, stirring occasionally.

Partially mash 1 cup beans with a fork or potato masher. Add mashed beans and remaining whole beans to pan; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.

Spoon 1 cup bean mixture onto bottom half of each roll; top each serving with 1 red onion slice and top half of roll.

If you were to have a regular sloppy joe, forget healthy numbers, so here's the best part (in my opinion).

Nutritional information:

Calories:405

Fat:14.4g (sat 3.2g,mono 7.5g,poly 2.3g) --mostly good fat

Protein:19.4g

Carbohydrate:53.3g

Fiber:10.4g

Cholesterol:28mg

Iron:5.1mg

Sodium:781mg

Calcium:148mg