Cook Up a Guaranteed Kid-Pleaser

I've been making this slimmed-down version of Sloppy Joes for a while, and it's always been a hit. Putting extras on top is my favorite part — for instance, some low-fat shredded cheese, pickle slices, chopped sweet onion, even some sweet pepper rings. Now they appreciate these Slim Sloppy Joes because they're filling while being figure-friendly. Note: This recipe makes enough for two meals, so put half in the freezer for a rainy day.

Slim Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

12 ounces lean ground beef (round or sirloin)
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
2/3 cup frozen corn kernels
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Whole-wheat hamburger buns

Preparation

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Crumble in the beef and cook, stirring often, until it loses its pink color, about 5 minutes. Drain the beef in a colander and wipe out the skillet.

In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3 minutes. Return the beef to the skillet and stir in the tomato sauce, corn, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, and black pepper. Bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

Serve on whole-wheat hamburger buns with add-ons like chopped onion, pickled peppers, pickle slices, low-fat grated cheese, tomato slices, or whatever other toppings you like.

Makes 4 cups

Per 1/2 cup: 150 calories, 21 g carbohydrates, 12 g protein, 3–5 total fat, 25 mg cholesterol, 3 g dietary fiber, 470 mg sodium