These Sloppy Joe sandwiches are a little bit different because they are loaded with mushrooms and eggplant. There is almost as many vegetables in this recipe as there is meat, and it is delicious.
Start by cooking down all the vegetables. We used eggplant and mushrooms since they stay soft and don’t mess up the texture if the meat too much. But if you’ve got red pepper or zucchini you can throw it all in. 
Serve the mixture in hamburger buns and dig in. Or you can skip the bun and just eat it plain with a salad on the side…or if you’re like my little guy you can eat it out of a bowl with tortilla chips for scooping…lots of possibilities. It’s delicious!
Eggplant Sloppy Joe
Description
The usual Sloppy Joe is loaded with eggplant and mushrooms for a delicious rendition packed with flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups diced eggplant (from one small eggplant, peeled)
- 2 cups diced button mushrooms (a 10 oz. package)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 28 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with the olive oil.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring so the garlic doesn’t burn.
- Add in the diced eggplant and mushrooms and cook down for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are reduced to about half.
- Push the vegetables over to one side of the pan and add in the ground beef.
- Once the beef is browned, combine it with the vegetables, add the salt, pepper, oregano and garlic powder and stir.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and then add the brown sugar and worcestershire sauce.
- Stir and let simmer for 15 minutes uncovered until thickened.
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different vegetables instead of eggplant and mushrooms?
Yes, you can substitute with red pepper or zucchini if you prefer, as they will also blend well without altering the texture.
What type of buns work best for serving the Sloppy Joe mixture?
Standard hamburger buns are recommended, but you can also use whole wheat or gluten-free options depending on your preference.
How should I prepare the eggplant before adding it to the mixture?
You should dice the eggplant and cook it down with the other vegetables until it’s soft, as this helps integrate the flavors.
