Turkey Sloppy Joes

by Jenny of Dinner: A Love Story

In my mind, this is a classic Tuesday Night Dinner. Because in my mind, Tuesday is the night when you need the surefire shot of confidence the most. Tuesday is not Monday, when you either have a stash of leftovers to build on from Sunday’s meal or feel pumped up about the idea of dinner since it’s only Day 1 of the 5-day grind. Tuesday is when you need a dinner that is quick and dirty, down-home and delicious, and, if at all possible, universally praised tableside, even by the under-four-feet-tall set. And then when you nail Tuesday, the rest of the week is cake.

Serving Size

4

Ingredients

• 1 lb. of ground turkey or beef
• Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Pepper
• ½ can tomato paste
• ½ onion (chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• Handful of zucchini and/or red or green bell peppers (chopped)
• Whole-wheat buns
• Slices of sharp cheddar
• Sour cream (optional)

Method

In a large skillet set over medium heat, add olive oil, 1/2 onion (chopped), 1 clove garlic (minced), and a handful of any of the following: zucchini (shredded) or red or green bell peppers (chopped).

Cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add 1 pound ground turkey or beef and cook until most of the pink is gone. (I usually drain the fat before proceeding.) Add 1/2 can of tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, a pinch of cinnamon, salt, and pepper and mix together, adding a bit of water if the meat looks too dry.

Lower heat and simmer another 5-10 minutes until meat is cooked through and flavors have melded. Add to toasted whole-wheat buns, add slices of sharp cheddar, and put under the broiler for 2 minutes. Top with sour cream if desired.

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