Italian Sloppy Joes

These Turkey Sloppy Joes (ground turkey sloppy Joes) taste like a bowl of bolognese meets an easy Sloppy Joe sandwich. You’ll love how quick and easy these healthy Sloppy Joes come together. 

Italian Sloppy Joe sandwich is pure healthy comfort food. This family-friendly meal is made with ground turkey, chickpeas, tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash all simmered in a classic marinara sauce.

How to Make Ground Turkey Sloppy Joes

• Toast Buns. Heat a little oil on a skillet and place the buns on the skillet sliced side down.
• Make Sloppy Joe Sauce. Basically these Italian Sloppy Joes start of with this Classic Marinara Sauce. In a separate pot cook the ground turkey, breaking apart large pieces into smaller ones using a spatula. Add the cooked ground turkey, chickpeas, zucchini and yellow squash  to the marinara sauce and simmer. You won’t want to cook the sauce down to much, otherwise it’ll be on the dry side.
• Put the Sloppy Joes Together. Place the bottom halves of the buns on a cookie sheet lined with foil. Spoon the ground turkey mixture on the toasted bun and add a slice of cheese or some grated cheese to the top. Place in the oven under a broiler for just 1-3 minutes until the cheese melts.  For the cheese, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Havarti or Fontina all are good choices.
• Serve. Remove the Turkey Sloppy Joes from the oven and put the top of the bun on and serve.

Sides for Sloppy Joes

These healthy Sloppy Joes are pretty filling, so all you’ll really need is a simple green salad to serve them with.

• Romaine Salad – this simple Romaine Salad makes a great side salad to serve with just about any meal.
• Italian Chopped Salad – this is one of the most popular salads I’ve taken to potlucks. It’s always well received!!
• Everyday Tossed Salad – this is another great side salad to serve with any meal.
• Arugula Pesto Salad – this is a simple potato salad tossed with arugula, green beans, tomatoes and pesto.

Looking for more easy dinner recipes to make?

• Mediterranean Tuna Melt
• Grilled Turkey Burgers
• Chicken Fajita Quesadillas
• Tuna Salad Sandwich
• Quinoa Black Bean Burgers

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Yield: 4 - 6 servings

Italian Sloppy Joes

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

These Italian Sloppy Joes feature a mix of ground turkey, chickpeas, tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash all simmered in a classic marinara sauce for a delicious twist on things.

 

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2  tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons coconut sugar
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup zucchini, minced
• 1/2 cup yellow squash, minced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil.
2. Add the ground turkey. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink.
3. Transfer the ground turkey to a bowl and set aside.
4. Heat the remaining olive oil in the same pot over medium high heat.
5. Add the onion and cook for 3 - 4 minutes or until the onions start to soften.
6. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or two.
7. Add the Italian tomatoes, chicken broth, parsley and oregano and basil to the pot.
8. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
9. Stir in the coconut sugar.
10. Reduce heat to low and simmer sauce for 5 minutes.
11. Add the ground turkey, chickpeas, zucchini and yellow squash  to the pot and simmer for another 15 minutes.
12. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Serve on toasted buns.
14. Garnish with basil ribbons