Vegetarian Classic Sloppy Joe Sauce

Transform your weeknight dinners with this irresistible Vegetarian Classic Sloppy Joe Sauce, a plant-based take on the beloved comfort food. Packed with hearty ingredients like finely chopped mushrooms, protein-rich lentils, and a rich tomato base, this easy recipe offers bold, smoky flavors enhanced by chili powder and smoked paprika. Sweetened with a touch of brown sugar and balanced with savory soy and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, this thick, umami-rich sauce simmers to perfection in just 30 minutes. Perfect for serving on toasted buns or as a topping for baked potatoes, it’s a satisfying, crowd-pleasing option for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 whole medium onion, diced
• 1 whole green bell pepper, diced
• 3 whole garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces button mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute or until it's fragrant.

Step 4

Add the finely chopped mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for 7-8 minutes until they have released their moisture and are browned slightly.

Step 5

Stir in the cooked lentils, tomato sauce, ketchup, and tomato paste.

Step 6

Add soy sauce, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 7

Season with chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 8

Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and allow it to cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and flavors have melded.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Step 11

Serve the sauce immediately over toasted buns, bread, or a desired base.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1432.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1048.3

Total Fat 34.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3305.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.2g	0%
Total Sugars 86.7g
Protein 33.4g	0%

Vitamin D 15.9IU	0%
Calcium 162.2mg	0%
Iron 11.6mg	0%
Potassium 2423.0mg	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: 28.2%

Protein: 12.2%

Carbs: 59.7%