Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

These Vegetarian Sloppy Joes are hearty, saucy, and ready in just 25 minutes. Tender red lentils and cauliflower create a texture so close to traditional ground beef, you won’t miss the meat at all.

If you’re looking for a fast, comforting weeknight dinner that’s full of flavor but completely meatless, these Vegetarian Sloppy Joes are here to save the day. Red lentils and finely chopped cauliflower break down into a hearty, crumbly texture that’s surprisingly close to traditional ground meat. The rich tomato sauce gets a little sweetness from brown sugar and a warm kick from chili powder and cumin, so every bite tastes familiar and satisfying.

Each scoop is saucy, savory, and loaded with plant-based protein to keep everyone full. Pile the mixture onto toasted buns, serve it over baked potatoes, or stuff it into lettuce wraps for a lighter twist. Kids love the classic Sloppy Joe flavor, and you’ll love how easy it is to sneak in extra veggies without anyone noticing the difference. Plus, it’s naturally dairy-free and ready in just about 25 minutes—perfect for busy nights.

Do you meal plan your dinners?  It makes weeknights so much easier!  Check out my Meal Planning Theme Night Recipes and then add this one to your Meatless Mondays meal planning calendar!

4 Reasons to Love Vegetarian Sloppy Joes!

Here are 4 reasons this Vegetarian Sloppy Joe recipe is perfect for busy families looking to add more veggies into the dinner rotation.

1. Quick and Easy – It takes just 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook, so you can have dinner ready in under 30 minutes—faster than takeout.
2. Veggie-Packed – With red lentils, cauliflower, red peppers, and onions, it’s an effortless way to sneak in extra vegetables without the kids even realizing it.
3. Kid-Friendly Familiarity – The savory-sweet tomato sauce and sloppy texture taste just like classic Sloppy Joes, making it easier for picky eaters to try something meatless.
4. Nutritious and Filling – Red lentils add plant-based protein and fiber, so everyone feels satisfied and energized after dinner.

Simple Ingredients and Substitutes

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Sauce Ingredients

• Tomato Sauce – Plain canned tomato sauce is perfect for the base of this sauce. You can use a marinara or other flavored sauce if that’s all you have, but just know that whatever ingredients are in there will impact the sloppy joe flavor.
• Brown sugar – Brown sugar adds the right amount of sweetness along with the flavor from the molasses. You can substitute the same quantity of white granulated sugar or even honey.
• Tomato Paste – Adds even more deep tomato flavor. If you don’t have it, you can leave it out
• Worcestershire sauce – Worcestershire is my secret ingredient that really brings deep flavor. If you don’t have this, you can substitute Soy sauce.
• White wine vinegar – You need the vinegar to balance the sweet and bring the tang to this sauce. You can substitute with red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
• Seasonings: I used Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt, Ground Black Pepper. You could also add a dash of cayenne pepper for spice. Substitutes are paprika for the chili powder and ground coriander for the cumin.

Other Ingredients

• Hamburger Buns – I used a brioche variety, but any thick and hearty bun that won’t fall apart will work.
• Vegetable broth – This is used for cooking the lentils. You can also use chicken or beef broth or stock. You can also use water mixed with a beef or chicken bouillon cube or beef base or chicken base.
• Uncooked Red lentils – For the Lentils, I recommend red lentils, as they are smaller, more delicate, and will cook faster than the more meaty and firm green, brown, or black lentils. They also and get to a softer, creamier texture when blended into the soup. Yellow lentils will work too. No lentils? Try using white beans or chickpeas that will also bring protein and blend nicely.
• Cauliflower floret pieces – The cauliflower acts as the ‘ground beef’ in this recipe because they have the perfect texture and absorb any flavor. Substitutes would be other firm veggies, such as carrots, broccoli stems, sweet potato, or
• Yellow onions – I used yellow onion as it’s a milder sweet onion, but you can use white onion, red onion, vidalia, or any combination. If you don’t have fresh onion, you can frozen sliced onion as well.
• Fresh Garlic cloves, minced – Fresh is best in this simple recipe, but you can buy the pre-minced garlic sold in a small jar or use dried garlic flakes or garlic powder.
• Red bell pepper – You can also use green bell pepper, yellow, or orange bell pepper.

See recipe card for quantities.

Simple Equipment

For this recipe, you need a medium pot for the lentils and a large skillet/frying pan for making the veggies and mixing everything together. I use my absolute favorite 12″ Ceramic Pan, which is great because food really does slide right off with minimal oil and I don’t have to worry about food sticking and burning. 

Mincing garlic is made super easy with a Garlic Press.

Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below).

If you’re preparing the entire sloppy joe filling ahead to reheat later, then you can start with the lentils.

If you just want to get all of the ingredients ready, then wait to cook the lentils until you are making the entire filling.

For the lentils, add the vegetable broth and the lentils to a medium-sized pot and bring to a simmer, then turn to low heat, cover and cook for 10 min.

(NOTE: if you used a larger lentil other than Red, you may need another 5 minutes to get them tender enough)

While the lentils cook, dice the onion and red pepper. Mince the garlic. Then prep the cauliflower.

Cut (or pulse in a food processor) the cauliflower florets into small pieces.

You want the pieces to mimic the size and texture of ground beef.

In a separate medium bowl, mix all of the sauce ingredients.

Make sure the tomato paste is blended in.

Cook Your Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Preheat a large pan on Medium-High Heat.

Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and red pepper and cook 2-3 min until the onions are soft and translucent.

Add in the cauliflower and cook for 2 min.

Then add the sauce and bring to simmer, cooking for 5 min, stirring occasionally.

Then finally stir in the cooked lentils.

Cook for another 5 min. or so until the liquid is absorbed and it’s a thick mixture.

Scoop onto the buns and enjoy!

Storing Your Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Gently reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!

Vegetarian Sloppy Joes

Carrie Tyler

These quick and satisfying Vegetarian Sloppy Joes come together in just 25 minutes and deliver all the hearty comfort of the classic version. Red lentils and cauliflower florets cook down into a rich, chunky filling that perfectly mimics the texture of ground beef. Simmered in a sweet and smoky tomato sauce, this meatless dinner is an easy, family-friendly favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved! Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  

Sauce Ingredients

• 15 ounces Tomato Sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 teaspoon red or white wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper

Other Ingredients

• 4 Hamburger Buns
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• ½ cup Red Lentils
• 3 cups Cauliflower floret pieces
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 2 cloves/teaspoons garlic minced
• ½ Red Pepper

Instructions

 

Prep Steps

• COOK LENTILS. Add the vegetable broth and the lentils to a medium-sized pot and bring to a simmer, then turn to low heat, cover and cook for 10 min. (NOTE: if you used a larger lentil other than Red, you may need another 5 minutes to get them tender enough)
• PREP VEGGIES. While the lentils cook, dice the onion and red pepper. Mince the garlic. Cut (or pulse in a food processor) the cauliflower florets into small pieces (size of ground beef).
• MIX SAUCE. In a separate medium bowl, mix all of the sauce ingredients. Make sure the tomato paste is blended in.

Cooking Steps

• COOK FILLING. Preheat a large pan on Medium-High Heat. Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, and red pepper and cook 2-3 min until the onions are soft and translucent. Add in the cauliflower and cook for 2 min. Then add the sauce and bring to simmer, cooking for 5 min, stirring occasionally. Then finally stir in the cooked lentils. Cook for another 5 min. or so until the liquid is absorbed and it’s a thick mixture.
• Serve on the buns and enjoy!

Keyword cauliflower, Lentils, meatless, vegetarian