Untidy Josephs Aka Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Introducing "Untidy Josephs," a creative twist on the classic sloppy joe that swaps out ground meat for hearty, protein-packed lentils, making it a satisfying vegetarian delight. Bursting with flavor, this recipe features a savory blend of sautéed onions, bell peppers, and carrots, perfectly complemented by a rich tomato-based sauce infused with smoky paprika, cumin, and a hint of sweetness from maple syrup. Quick to prepare with only 40 minutes from start to finish, these vegetarian sloppy joes are perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve them piled high on toasted burger buns and customize with optional toppings like crisp pickles, tangy red onion, or cool shredded lettuce for extra texture and flair. Delicious, nutritious, and irresistibly messy—Untidy Josephs prove that plant-based comfort food can be just as satisfying as the original!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced
• 1 large carrot, finely grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 cups cooked lentils
• 1.5 cups tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 4 whole burger buns
• 0 optional toppings: diced red onion, pickles, shredded lettuce

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add diced onion, bell pepper, and grated carrot to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the cooked lentils to the skillet and stir to combine.

Step 5

Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and vegetable broth. Stir well to coat the lentils and vegetables.

Step 6

Add maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.

Step 7

Lower the heat to simmer and let the mixture cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.

Step 9

Toast burger buns (optional) and spoon the lentil mixture generously onto the bottom half of each bun.

Step 10

Top with your favorite optional toppings like diced red onion, pickles, and shredded lettuce, then place the top bun on.

Step 11

Serve warm and enjoy your Untidy Josephs!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1426.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1449.3

Total Fat 41.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3336.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 213.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.7g	0%
Total Sugars 55.7g
Protein 51.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 362.8mg	0%
Iron 19.7mg	0%
Potassium 2694.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.1%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 59.6%