Kid-Friendly Sloppy Joes

These kid-friendly sloppy joes combine lean ground beef with carrots blended into the tomato sauce. Simmer until the carrots are tender.

A QUICK NOTE

Grated carrots blend more easily, but chunks also work in a food processor. Add water if the filling gets too thick.

Makes about 16 servings, depending on how much filling you use per bun.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds lean ground beef

• 2 raw carrots, cut into chunks or grated (preferred)

• 2 teaspoons onion powder

• 2 cups tomato sauce

• ½ cup ketchup

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Water, as needed

• Hamburger buns, for serving (I used 21 whole grain Dave’s Killer buns)

• Cheese slices, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. Grate the carrots, or cut them into chunks for the food processor.

2. Blend the grated carrots or carrot chunks with the tomato sauce in a food processor until the carrots are finely puréed. Work in batches if needed.

3. Brown the beef.

4. Add the carrot–tomato purée, onion powder, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar or maple syrup, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well.

5. Simmer gently, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check that the carrot is soft and the sauce tastes mellow. Add a splash of water if the mixture gets too thick.

6. Serve on buns with cheese slices, or put the filling and buns separately on the kids’ plates so they can try it their way.