Name: Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 3 cups); 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste; freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1 pound lean ground beef; 1/2 cup diced yellow onion; 8 ounces tomato sauce; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon dried mustard; 1/4 teaspoon celery seed; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste; freshly ground black pepper to taste; Dill pickle slices; Sliced red onion

There’s something so satisfying about the cozy flavors and colorful presentation of my Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe. It’s like a warm hug on a plate, blending savory, sweet, and tangy in every bite — and it comes together with ease, which I know you’ll appreciate.

The image shows a black frying pan filled with a thick, rich meat sauce. The sauce has small pieces of browned ground meat mixed with finely chopped orange carrots, all coated in a dark reddish-brown tomato sauce that looks chunky and hearty. The frying pan's handle is white with a slight gray mark, and the pan sits on a white marbled surface. Steam rises gently from the sauce, adding a sense of warmth and freshness to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe quickly became a go-to because it hits all the right notes without fuss. The balance between the rich, saucy Sloppy Joe meat and the tender roasted sweet potatoes is honestly a little addictive — in the best way.

Balanced Flavors: The smoky sweetness of the roasted sweet potatoes pairs perfectly with the tangy, savory Sloppy Joe mixture.
Easy Weeknight Dinner: You can have this on the table in under an hour, even on busy days.
Customizable Bowls: Feel free to switch up toppings or add sides to make it your own.
Family Friendly: It’s a fun way to serve Sloppy Joes without buns, appealing to kids and adults alike.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe plays a key role — the sweet potatoes bring warmth and subtle sweetness, and the spice blend in the meat sauce adds depth and excitement. When shopping, pick sweet potatoes that are firm and unblemished, and use ground beef with just enough fat to keep the filling juicy.

Flat lay of fresh cubed sweet potatoes, a small white bowl of avocado oil, a small white bowl of chili powder, a small white bowl of garlic powder, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of freshly ground black pepper, raw lean ground beef in a simple white ceramic dish, diced yellow onion in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of rich tomato sauce, a small white bowl of bright red ketchup, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of Worcestershire sauce, a small white bowl of dried mustard, a small white bowl of celery seeds, fresh dill pickle slices arranged neatly on a white plate, thinly sliced red onion rings on a small white dish, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Sweet potatoes: Their natural sweetness balances the tangy tomato-based sauce perfectly once roasted.
Avocado oil: Has a high smoke point, ideal for roasting sweet potatoes to a crispy, caramelized finish.
Chili powder & garlic powder: These add depth and mild heat, pulling the dish together with familiar comfort.
Lean ground beef: Provides hearty protein without overwhelming fat — key for a balanced bowl.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and texture once softened in the skillet.
Tomato sauce and ketchup: Bring the classic Sloppy Joe tang while keeping the meat moist.
Honey: A subtle sweetener to counterbalance tomato acidity.
Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami richness that you’ll notice even if you don’t think about it.
Dried mustard, celery seed, and spices: Give that unmistakable Sloppy Joe signature flavor.
Dill pickle slices and red onion: Offer crunch and a tangy brightness to finish the bowls.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that you can easily tweak this Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. It’s practically a blank canvas for flavor adventure, so don’t be shy about making it your own!

Variation: I sometimes swap ground turkey or chicken for beef to lighten it up; it still works great with the bold sauce and spices.
Make it vegan: Try using lentils or a plant-based crumbled meat alternative instead—just adjust cooking times.
Add greens: Toss in some chopped kale or spinach right at the end of simmering the Sloppy Joe mixture for an extra veggie boost.
Spice it up: A dash of hot sauce or cayenne powder can add a nice kick if you like heat, something I often do.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

The image shows a white bowl with three main sections of food. The bottom right section has a thick layer of cooked ground meat in a reddish-brown sauce with a chunky texture, and a silver fork is digging into it. The top left section has a pile of bright orange roasted sweet potato cubes seasoned with black pepper, showing some dark grill marks. On top of the meat near the center, there are thin, curved slices of purple-red onion placed over the meat. On the left side of the onion slices, there are four thick, pale green pickle slices stacked slightly irregularly. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Roast Those Sweet Potatoes

Start by cutting your sweet potatoes into even ½-inch cubes so they cook uniformly. Toss them with avocado oil, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground pepper right on the baking sheet. Don’t skimp on the tossing—you want every cube coated! Roast at 425°F for about 25 to 30 minutes, shaking or stirring once halfway through to get all sides nicely caramelized. This roast is where those sweet potatoes develop that irresistible golden crust, so keep an eye on them for just the right amount of tender-crisp texture.

Step 2: Cook the Sloppy Joe Meat

While those sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a little oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat with your spatula as it browns. When the beef is cooked through and the onions are soft, it’s time to add all those wonderful spices—chili powder, dried mustard, celery seed, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir them in well, and then pour in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and honey. Bring the heat down to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. This slow simmer is what delivers that classic Sloppy Joe richness and flavor complexity.

Step 3: Assemble Your Bowls

Spoon the luscious Sloppy Joe meat into bowls, add a generous serving of those caramelized, fragrant sweet potatoes, then top with dill pickle slices and thinly sliced red onions for a wonderful crunch and bright pop of flavor. Serve immediately and get ready to enjoy!

Top Tip

Over the years of making this dish, I've realized a few tricks that really elevate the Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe from good to unforgettable. These little tips save you time and boost flavor so you can focus on enjoying the moment.

Don’t rush roasting: Let those sweet potatoes get golden and slightly caramelized for the best texture and sweetness—patience pays off!
Season as you go: Taste and adjust seasoning at each stage, especially salt and pepper; it’s the difference between bland and bold.
Low and slow simmer: Keeping the heat low during the sauce simmer allows the flavors to meld deeply without drying the beef out.
Use fresh pickles: The contrasting crunch and tang from fresh dill pickles bring this dish to life—don’t skip them!

How to Serve Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Garnishes

I’m all about simplicity here, and usually just go with the dill pickle slices and some thinly sliced red onion — the crunch and tang are perfect compliments to the rich meat and sweet potatoes. But sometimes I sprinkle a little fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top for a fresh pop of color and subtle flavor.

Side Dishes

Though the bowls are pretty filling on their own, I often serve them alongside a crisp green salad or steamed green beans. Sometimes a scoop of creamy coleslaw on the side balances the warm, spicy flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For casual gatherings, I sometimes set out bowls and toppings like shredded cheese, sliced jalapeños, or avocado so everyone can customize their Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe. For a festive touch, spoon the mixture over a scoop of quinoa or rice, or even inside sturdy lettuce cups for a lighter, hands-on experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Sloppy Joe meat and roasted sweet potatoes separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This helps keep the sweet potatoes from getting soggy overnight and the meat stays nicely saucy for reheating.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I freeze the cooked Sloppy Joe meat in portioned containers or freezer bags, and you can roast sweet potatoes fresh or freeze them too (though they’re best roasted fresh if possible). Just defrost the meat overnight in the fridge for a quick weeknight meal.

Reheating

Reheat the Sloppy Joe mixture gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Warm the sweet potatoes in the oven or microwave separately to maintain their texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply ensure your Worcestershire sauce and ketchup are gluten-free brands—most are, but it’s always good to double-check. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

How do I make the Sloppy Joe meat less sweet?

If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey or ketchup slightly. Start by cutting each by half and taste as it simmers—you can always add more sweetness if needed. Balancing with a dash of vinegar can also brighten flavors without more sugar.

Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?

You can! However, roasting sweet potatoes adds a lovely natural sweetness that balances the savory Sloppy Joe sauce so well. If you swap regular potatoes, consider adding a pinch of brown sugar or cinnamon to replicate that effect.

What’s the best way to get the sweet potatoes crispy?

Make sure the sweet potatoes are coated generously with oil and spaced out on the baking sheet so they don’t steam. Toss them halfway during roasting to promote even browning. Using a high-heat oil like avocado oil also helps achieve that crispy exterior.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Sloppy Joe Bowls with Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe is one of those dishes I come back to whenever I want something comforting, satisfying, and just a little bit fun. It’s warm, flavorful, and perfect for sharing—or for a solo cozy night in. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and find your own special twists along the way!