Transform your traditional weeknight dinner with these flavorful and festive Pumpkin Sloppy Joes! This creative twist on a classic sloppy joe recipe features the earthy sweetness of unsweetened pumpkin puree combined with bold spices like smoked paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg, perfectly balanced with tomato sauce and a hint of tangy apple cider vinegar. The hearty ground beef (or turkey) base is simmered to perfection, creating a rich and satisfying filling that pairs beautifully with toasted hamburger buns. With just 10 minutes of prep time and simple pantry-friendly ingredients, these Pumpkin Sloppy Joes are a quick and comforting meal perfect for fall or anytime youβre craving a unique, savory-sweet comfort food upgrade.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sautΓ© for 3-4 minutes until softened.
Add the ground beef (or turkey), breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Toast the hamburger buns slightly, if desired.
Spoon the Pumpkin Sloppy Joe mixture onto the bottom half of each bun, then place the top half of the bun on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Calories |
1960 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 125.9 g | 161% | |
| Saturated Fat | 47.2 g | 236% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 363 mg | 121% | |
| Sodium | 2775 mg | 121% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 125.4 g | 46% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 70.1 g | 250% | |
| Total Sugars | 34.6 g | ||
| Protein | 142.3 g | 285% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 344 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 21.7 mg | 121% | |
| Potassium | 2879 mg | 61% | |
*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.