--- title: "Meatless Friday: Sloppy Lentils" description: "Monica Portogallo shares a \"clean\" Sloppy Joe variation for Meatless Fridays, made with lentils and sweetened by dates and sweet potatoes." image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0215-MPortogallo-IMG_2398.jpg ---                                           [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/02/15/meatless-friday-sloppy-lentils/#) [MEATLESS FRIDAY](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/meatless-friday) # Meatless Friday: Sloppy Lentils Feb 15, 2019 1:30:09 PM  |  by [Monica Portogallo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/monica-portogallo) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0215-MPortogallo-IMG_2398.jpg) I loved Sloppy Joe sandwiches as a kid. Now that I'm grown up (and a registered dietitian nutritionist), I decided to experiment to make a healthier alternative. Enter these Sloppy Lentils. They have the savory sweetness and hearty protein of traditional Sloppy Joes, but without the animal fats or added sugar. Plus, picky eaters may not even notice the tiny pieces of cauliflower, onion, and sweet potato! ![0215-MPortogallo-IMG_2398](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/0215-MPortogallo-IMG_2398.jpg?width=800&name=0215-MPortogallo-IMG_2398.jpg)   ## Sloppy Lentils Serves about 6 - 1 onion, quartered - 1/2 small head of cauliflower, cut into large pieces - 1 medium sweet potato, cut into large pieces - 4 small pitted dates - 1 cup dry lentils, sorted and rinsed - 1 1/4 cups water - 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes - 1 tsp garlic powder - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar - salt and pepper to taste - 6 whole-grain hamburger buns (toasted, if desired) Place onion, cauliflower, sweet potato, and dates into a food processor. Process until chopped into rice-sized pieces. Stir together the vegetable mixture, lentils, water, tomatoes, garlic powder, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are cooked and sauce thickens slightly. Spoon into buns and serve.   [![Download printable recipe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/interactive-209252365893.png) ](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLNB5pNQY9Hof7qBJ6C8%2BHMTaKau1fDwgAKBKf6D%2BvwofxjskBXysNZVqqD2fvbwABegWQSX%2Bdxz1zseAJCaFmhx3DW0lKhnx%2FCNLSXWBYBlZws3A0D50YBcyOYOXY9nO0NhJh8BHpEnZ3gHa6njFBf7%2BOBYijHpChqjmwVCTFqHo69U%2Ba57dayNBBMBT2qPYFPtrHGfGhFtE%2Buz%2BzVlsliKbqiZ9bkASC%2FhWRZv2Z44qvdvD%2FkPr7QdIAnJGb08A%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=209252365893&portalId=275132) [![See our full list of Meatless Friday recipes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/interactive-188493254954.png) ](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIBSiHmdtrzDhCKy093QRXMPdnANFuq1NihVuCL9SN8GzLdSqpZKMa4Szp66BtB40uVpIZOnJp%2BPWQk76enKWjidpj3nn3%2FjPbbtKGLy8s5%2F2Pt%2Bv2kzLEpDpiGZ8P283yPxBBf%2FxSRj5tP7Yyfx5AXAjtnusf%2FjkVRPuV4%2BBxzeh8FRa4o4X4GQ46RBiLAdXTGTTXoiqWvcDN5&webInteractiveContentId=188493254954&portalId=275132) ### ** ** --- *Copyright 2019 Monica Portogallo Photo copyright 2019 Monica Portogallo, all rights reserved.* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fmeatless-friday-sloppy-lentils%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fmeatless-friday-sloppy-lentils%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fmeatless-friday-sloppy-lentils%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Meatless%20Friday%3A%20Sloppy%20Lentils) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fmeatless-friday-sloppy-lentils%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2019%2F02%2F15%2Fmeatless-friday-sloppy-lentils%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Monica Portogallo](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Monica%20Portogallo.jpeg) ### [Monica Portogallo](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/monica-portogallo) Monica Portogallo is a mother and registered dietitian nutritionist who does her best not to miss the lessons God sends to her through the joys and struggles of daily life. She lives in California. ## Related Blog Articles [ Meatless Friday: Swedish Chickpeas Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-swedish-chickpeas) [ Turning Lemons into Lemonade Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/08/19/turning-lemons-into-lemonade/) [ A Meal That Tastes Like Fall Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/09/13/meal-tastes-like-fall) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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