Crock Pot Lentil Sloppy Joes

I haven't had time to plan out my menu for the week. Luckily, I had all the ingredients on hand to prepare lentil sloppy joes in my slow cooker. It's easy and perfect for a meatless Monday meal. Also, a lifesaver when you're trying to ease back into the weekday schedule after a fun filled party weekend away from home.

I've been in Chicago all weekend enjoying my hometown. Thrifting happened, of course. I'll share my haul later in the week when I get back on schedule but for now here's my should-be-famous meatless Sloppy Joes!

I wasn't a lentil fan until I started making sloppy joes with them. It's still the only way I can eat them. It's a good comfort food as it is hearty and feels you up. It's slightly sweet and slightly spicy and tastes very much like the classic meat version.

It's kid friendly too. Violet loves it and she rarely approves of my meal choices.

Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes

Yield: 6 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 cup lentils
• 2 cups unsalted vegetable stock
• 1 14 ounce jar pasta sauce or tomato sauce (I've partnered with Ragu to get the word out about the heritage story and discovered it's delicious in non pasta meals too!)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 4 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for sauteing onions
• 3 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• a pinch basil
• a pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• buns

Cooking Directions

1. Fry the onions until soft and slightly brown.  
2. Throw everything in the crop pot and cook for 4-6 hours on low. 
3. Serve on buns and enjoy!

What's your favorite meatless meal?

Need more meal ideas? Visit Ragu for traditional pasta meal ideas and find out who's Assunta Cantisano!

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