I’ve been asking some questions over on instagram throughout the last few weeks after spending some time thinking about each of you, how you use this space + how I can serve you better. I want your feedback. Because honestly, my heart is for you – to make healthy eating accessible to you, to make real food taste good to you + to SIMPLIFY all of the hype for you.
To do that, I’ve been asking questions about your thoughts on, problems with, pet peeves about, insecurities surrounding:
- Grocery Shopping
- Healthy Eating
- Meal Planning
- Meal Prepping
- Cooking for 2 vs. Cooking for Families
And honestly guys, I have been so, so grateful for each + every voice that has chimed in on this conversation.
The overwhelming feelings are all the same. People feel tired. They feel overwhelmed. They feel like there isn’t enough time to plan the things, shop for the things, put them away, prep them, cook them…
And guys, I hear you.
Quick, Simple, Healthy Meals
I am making it my personal goal, in 2020, to create some amazing recipes + resources to meet your greatest needs. I want to save you time, money, energy, heartache, and all of the things.
But, in their place, I want you to have some darn good food that’s also going to do really good things for your body.
That is my purpose.
The entire concept isn’t fleshed out 100% yet, but it’s going to start out as a series here, on “Jessica Eats Real Food” at some point in January. If you want to be sure to hear about it first, you can sign up here for the deets.
One Pan Dinner: Paleo Sloppy Joe Skillet
This Paleo Sloppy Joe Skillet is a trial recipe, per se. I sat + thought about all the messages + comments I’d received about meal planning + preparing. Then, I set out to cook it. I wanted a meal:
- that kids would eat.
- that didn’t require all sorts of crazy or special ingredients.
- that prepped in less than 15 minutes.
- that tasted freaking great, but was devoid of gluten, dairy, soy + refined sugar.
Paleo Sloppy Joe Skillet Success
And, Y’ALL! This recipe rocks. All it takes is a little chopping + stirring before it sits pretty on your stovetop cooking while you either sip a glass of post-work vino or chase the crazies around the downstairs during witching hour. Either way, this skillet meal will basically cook itself. (But you get to enjoy the rewards!)
Plus, it uses really inexpensive ingredients like canned tomato sauce, canned tomato paste, mustard, sweet potatoes + ground beef. It looks a heck of a lot like kid’s food, so I bet your little ones won’t have any inkling that it’s a “good for them” meal.
You can absolutely double this recipe if you’re feeding a bigger bunch. You could even just increase the sweet potato to save even more on groceries. Just be sure to add a little extra water if you change the ratios.
Lastly, this meal is INCREDIBLE as leftovers. My husband, who calls it “Smokey Joes” (he can’t help it, he’s English, ha!), has eaten this for 3 nights in a row. I find myself sneaking into the fridge + eating a few bites cold for a snack. It’s so good.
Guys, go make this. Make it now + then come leave me a little comment down below with what you think. These comments really help people find my recipes too! Remember, you can always pin this recipe to Pinterest for nights when dinner feels too hard!
P.S. If you’re looking for other one pan, weeknight meals, you have to try my Whole30 Greek Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner + my Paleo Instant Pot Steak + Sweet Potato Chili.
Paleo Sloppy Joe Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 large sweet potatoes, chopped ((roughly 3-4 cups))
Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce or puree
- 2/3 cup water
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp mustard (i prefer dijon!)
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (omit for Whole30)
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos (or soy sauce or tamari)
- pinch chili flakes
Instructions
- In a large skillet with a lid or dutch over, sautee the ground beef on medium-high until its brown + cooked through.
- Add the chopped onion, celery and carrots. Sautee for 5 minutes.
- While the veggies are cooking, make the sauce in a separate bowl by mixing together all of the sauce ingredients.
- After cooking the veggies until they're starting to look transluscent, add the chopped sweet potato + sauce. Stir until everything is combined.
- Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium-low. Simmer for 25-30 minutes with the lid on.
- Remove the lid + give it a stir. Simmer for another 10 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender + the sauce is thick.
So, so good! I absolutely loved it! Would definitely recommend & the hubby loved it. So simple, yet nutritious. The sweet potato makes it for us- we’re big sweet potato fans. I ate this with Broccoli rice which complemented it really well! 🙂 Thanks Jess for sharing, will defo be making this again and I’m already craving the leftovers!