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  • Prep Time 17 min

  • Cook Time 46 min

  • Total Time 1 hr 3 min

  • Servings 4

    Skill Easy

Calling All Kids

Kids and adults alike will love this meal. Especially the cook, because its easy to pull together and satisfying to eat.

If your oven and broiler are the same, wait to preheat the broiler until the sweet potatoes are out of the oven.

Created by: Emily Wilson
Tags: Easy, Quick & Easy

Recipes included in this meal:

Ingredients

    Produce

    • Garlic
      2 Cloves

    • Jalapeños
      1 Tablespoon

    • Onions
      1/2 Cup

    • Sweet Potato, Medium
      1 Pound

    Meat & Seafood

    • Ground Beef
      1 1/4 Pounds

    Cheese & Lunchmeat

    • Cheddar Cheese Slices, Optional

    • Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
      1 Cup

    • Parmesan Cheese, Grated
      2 Tablespoons

    • Velveeta Cheese
      4 Ounces

    Dairy & Eggs

    • Butter, Unsalted
      6 Tablespoons

    • Heavy Cream
      1/2 Cup

    • Sour Cream
      2 Tablespoons

    Bread & Bakery

    • Hamburger Buns
      4

    Dry Goods & Packaged Goods

    • Elbow Pasta
      1/2 Pound

    Canned Goods, Soups & Mixes

    • Tomato Paste
      2 Tablespoons

    • Tomato Sauce
      1 Cup

    Spice & Baking

    • Black Pepper

    • Brown Sugar
      2 Tablespoons

    • Kosher Salt

    • Mustard Powder
      1 Teaspoon

    Condiments, Oils & Dressings

    • Apple Cider Vinegar
      1/4 Cup

    • Barbecue Sauce
      1/4 Cup

    • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
      4 Tablespoons

    • Worcestershire Sauce
      2 Teaspoons

Kitchen Equipment

    Kitchen Supplies

    • Parchment Paper

    Appliances

    • 1 Broiler

    • Microwave

    • 1 Oven

    • 2 Stove Top

    Cooking Equipment

    • Can Opener

    • Chef's Knife

    • Colander

    • Cutting Board

    • Measuring Cups

    • Measuring Spoons

    • 1 Microwave Safe Bowl, Small

    • 1 Microwave-Safe Bowl, Medium

    • 1 Pastry Brush

    • Peeler

    • 1 Pot, Large (4-6 QT)

    • 1 Saute Pan, Large (12" or Larger)

    • 3 Sheet Pan

    • Whisk

teps for Sloppy Joes

Prep Steps

  1. Finely chop an onion to measure the indicated amount.
  2. Cut the stem end off the jalapeño, then cut in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and ribbing. Cut into a small dice to measure the indicated amount. Avoid touching your face when handling peppers, and wash hands immediately after. Add to the onion.
  3. Smash the garlic under the side of your chef's knife to remove the peel. Mince the garlic.

Cook Steps

  1. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add olive oil and warm.
  2. Once oil is warm, add the onion and jalapeno. Saute until softened. Do not brown.
  3. Once the onions are softened, add the garlic and cook another minute.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Use a spoon or spatula to break the meat up into small pieces. Stir in mustard powder, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  5. Cook the beef until well browned, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Once beef is cooked through, carefully drain out the excess fat from the pan.
  7. Set the beef back over medium-high heat. Stir in tomato paste, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar. Bring liquid to a boil.
  8. Once liquid is boiling, lower heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce is thickened. Stir often.
  9. Preheat broiler on high.
  10. Place the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in short 20 second increments to soften. It does not have to be totally melted.
  11. Split each hamburger bun in half horizontally. Spread the softened butter on the inside of each bun. Place on a sheet pan, buttered side up.
  12. Place the buns under the broiler and toast for 2-3 minutes until golden and slightly crispy. Keep a close eye as the buns can burn quickly.
  13. Taste the sloppy joe mixture for final seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if necessary.
  14. If using cheddar cheese, place a slice on each bottom bun. Scoop the sloppy joe mixture on top, then finish with the top bun.
  15. Transfer a sloppy joe to each dinner plate. Serve warm!

teps for Creamy Mac and Cheese

Prep Steps

  1. Cut the Velveeta cheese into small cubes. Place in a medium microwave-safe bowl along with the shredded cheddar cheese.

Cook Steps

  1. Fill a large pot 2/3 high with water and cover. Place over high heat. Proceed with next step as water comes to a boil.
  2. Once water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt and stir in the elbow pasta. Cook until tender but with a slight bite, about 7-8 minutes, or according to the package instructions.
  3. Pour heavy cream into the bowl with the cheddar and Velveeta cheeses. Microwave on high in short 25-second increments, whisking in between each round until all the cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
  4. Place strained pasta back into the pot over low heat. Add butter and stir until melted.
  5. Pour melted cheese mixture over the top, and stir until well combined.
  6. Stir in sour cream, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
  7. Transfer the mac and cheese to a serving bowl or dinner plates. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan for extra cheesiness! Serve warm!

teps for Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Prep Steps

  1. Prepare two sheet pans with a layer of parchment paper.
  2. Peel the sweet potatoes. Cut into 1/4 inch slices, then again into 1/4 inch sticks. Lay out evenly on the prepared sheet pans. Do not crowd.

Cook Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Drizzle the sweet potato fries with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  3. Place the potatoes in the preheated oven and bake until nicely caramelized, about 15-20 minutes. Flip the fries after 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. If trays are on different racks in the oven, switch them around as well.
  4. Transfer the sweet potato fries to a serving platter or dinner plates. Ready to serve!