These Vegetarian Pumpkin Sloppy Joes are cozy, hearty and great for a fall inspired weeknight dinner! They’re made with crumbled tofu and a flavorful homemade pumpkin sloppy joe sauce. These protein packed, plant based sandwiches come together in under 30 minutes and can easily be prepped ahead of time.
I love pretty much all pumpkin flavored desserts, but savory pumpkin recipes can also be delicious! These Vegetarian Pumpkin Sloppy Joes allow pumpkin to shine in a way that it usually doesn’t. These plant based sandwiches have the perfect hint of fall flavor and will be on the dinner table in about 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love These Plant-Based Pumpkin Sloppy Joes!
They’re made with mostly pantry ingredients – Don’t be scared off by the list of ingredients, it’s all things that you probably already have in your pantry or refrigerator! You can add any toppings you like to the sloppy joes though, for freshness.
They’re perfect for fall – Now that the weather is cooling down, flavorful and hearty meals are on my mind! These pumpkin sloppy joes have a subtle seasonal flavor and they will fill you up. Serve with fries or veggies.
They’re full of flavor – There’s so much flavor in this pumpkin sloppy joe sauce! It’s loaded up with spices that give it a cozy, seasonal flavor, including cinnamon, cumin and chili powder.
Vegetarian Pumpkin Sloppy Joe Recipe Ingredients
Tofu – I like to use super firm, pre-pressed tofu that I buy at Trader Joe’s or Sprouts. This tofu usually has higher protein and the texture is great. If you can’t find super firm, you can use extra firm. Just make sure you press as much liquid out of it as you can.
Onion & Garlic – Onion and garlic make a great base for so many different recipes. They’re aromatics and they add lots of flavor.
Pumpkin Sauce – The pumpkin sloppy joe sauce does have quite a few ingredients, but hopefully most of them are already in your pantry! Ingredients include: marinara sauce, pumpkin puree, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, tamari and a few others, listed in the recipe.
Buns – Use any kind of buns you like for these sloppy joes. If you prefer not to use a bun, you could make lettuce wraps or bowls with the filling.
Additional Toppings – I just enjoyed my sloppy joe with some thick cut dill pickle slices. Coleslaw would also be great!
How To Make Easy Vegetarian Sloppy Joe’s
Pat tofu dry and press out any excess liquid with a tofu press, if needed. I like to use super firm tofu that doesn’t require any pressing. Use your hands to crumble the blocks of tofu into small pieces that resemble sloppy joe meat. Set tofu aside.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in the diced onion and cook for 1-2 minutes, until onions have softened and then add in the minced garlic. Cook for another minute, until garlic is fragrant.
Next, add in the crumbled tofu and mix everything together well and allow the tofu to cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
Add in the pumpkin puree, marinara sauce, ketchup, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, regular paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano and cinnamon (basically all the remaining ingredients) Mix everything together and let cook for 3-5 minutes, on low heat, to let the flavors develop.
Toast your hamburger buns, if desired, and then add a couple big spoonfuls of the pumpkin sloppy joe mixture on. Add any additional toppings you like and enjoy!
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is vegan.
Make this recipe gluten free by using a gluten free hamburger bun.
Is this pumpkin sloppy joe recipe sweet? No, not really. There is some maple syrup and cinnamon added, but I feel that it has more of a savory pumpkin flavor.
Can the tofu be substituted? Yes, you can substitute the tofu with tempeh or any type of bean you like. Chickpeas work great in this recipe. You can also use a mix of both tofu and chickpeas.
How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days. Re-heat sloppy joe mixture in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Is the sloppy joe mixture freezer friendly? Yes, this is a great freezer recipe! Allow mixture to cool completely before storing in a freezer friendly container for up to 3 months.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!
These Vegetarian Pumpkin Sloppy Joes are cozy, hearty and great for a fall inspired weeknight dinner! They’re made with crumbled tofu and a flavorful homemade pumpkin sloppy joe sauce. These protein packed, plant based sandwiches come together in under 30 minutes and can easily be prepped ahead of time.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced onion
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (16 oz) packages super firm tofu, crumbled
1 cup marinara sauce
1 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons tamari
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, or more if desired
1/2 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6–8 hamburger buns
Instructions
Pat tofu dry and press out any excess liquid with a tofu press, if needed. I like to use super firm tofu that doesn’t require any pressing. Use your hands to crumble the blocks of tofu into small pieces that resemble sloppy joe meat. Set tofu aside.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in the diced onion and the crumbled tofu. Cook for about 5 minutes, until onions have softened and tofu is golden brown. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute, until garlic is fragrant.
Next, add in the pumpkin puree and marinara sauce. Mix together well and then add in the ketchup, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, regular paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt and pepper (basically all the remaining ingredients). Mix everything together and let cook for 3-5 minutes, on low heat, to let the flavors develop.
Toast your hamburger buns, if desired, and then add a couple big spoonfuls of the pumpkin sloppy joe mixture on. Add any additional toppings you like and enjoy!
Add a taste of fall to your mornings with these sweet and flavorful Caramelized Apple Smoothies. You can make a batch of just the caramelized apples to have on hand for easy, fall-inspired breakfasts all season long. Make them extra fancy with a drizzle of caramel sauce!
The leaves are finally starting to turn beautiful colors and the morning air has been cool and crisp. We haven’t been apple picking yet, but it definitely feels like the season for it. Morning meals have shifted from cold cereal to warm oatmeal, but it’s never too cold for smoothies. These Caramelized Apple Smoothies are the perfect festive way to start your morning. They’re packed with sweet apple flavor and thickened with protein packed greek yogurt. You’ll love these banana free smoothies!
Why You’ll Love These Caramelized Apple Smoothies!
Fun and festive – We drink smoothies all year round, but it’s nice to have a fall-flavored smoothie this time of year. Apples and cinnamon are perfect for evoking that warm feeling that comes along with autumn.
Easy to make – These smoothies come together pretty quickly. The caramelizing of the apples takes about 5 minutes, but once done, you simply toss all the ingredients into the blender. You can also make a larger batch of caramelized apples so they’re prepped and ready to go into your smoothie first thing in the morning.
Great for breakfast – A delicious caramelized apple smoothie on a crisp fall morning is the perfect way to start the day. You can also experiment with adding protein powder, or other smoothie boosters, if you like.
Caramelized Apple Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
Apples – You can use any kind of apples you like for this smoothie recipe. We like Honeycrisp, and usually have them on hand. Granny Smith is a great option, too.
Applesauce – Applesauce is a great addition to these caramelized apple smoothies, as it reinforces the apple flavor, while helping to bulk the smoothie up.
Greek Yogurt – Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt is great for adding protein and thickness to the smoothie. You can also use regular yogurt, dairy-free yogurt or a banana, if you prefer.
Milk – You can use any kind of milk you like for these smoothies. I used a protein-packed soymilk, because that is what I prefer, but dairy milk also works well.
Flax Seed – I like to add some ground flax seed for its healthy fats, including omega-3s. Flax also promotes heart health and protects against certain cancers. You are welcome to leave the flax out.
Maple Syrup – If you want to add some extra sweetener, pure maple syrup or honey are a great options.
Caramel Sauce – The caramel sauce is totally optional, but it makes these apple smoothies feel extra special! I like to drizzle it inside the glass before pouring the smoothie in, as well as on top of the smoothie.
How To Make Fall Apple Smoothies
Make the caramelized apples. Peel and dice apple into small, bite-size pieces. You can make them whatever size you like, but I prefer to dice them pretty small so they have time to cook a little bit while caramelizing.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add butter, apples, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix together and cook until butter is completely melted. Next, add the coconut sugar and a splash of water (about 1 tablespoon). Mix everything together until apples are completely coated with sugar mixture. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sauce has thickened. Turn heat off and let apples cool for just a few minutes.
Add the apples to a blender. Next, add in the milk, yogurt, applesauce, cinnamon and flax meal. If you prefer a colder smoothie, you can add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until smooth, or desired texture is reached. Pour smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is already gluten free.
Make these smoothies vegan by using dairy free yogurt and milk.
Can these apple smoothies be prepped ahead of time? I like to prepare a big batch of the caramelized apples ahead of time, so I can quickly throw them in the blender each morning with the other ingredients. I would not suggest prepping the entire smoothie ahead of time.
How long do leftovers last? Smoothies don’t make for great leftovers, but if stored in the refrigerator, they might last a couple of hours.
How many smoothies does this recipe make? This recipe makes one large smoothie or two smaller smoothies.
What kind of apples should be used? You can use any kind of apple you like. I used a Honeycrisp, but for a more tart flavor, consider using a Granny Smith.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP.
Add a taste of fall to your mornings, with these sweet and flavorful Caramelized Apple Smoothies. You can make a batch of the caramelized apples to have on hand for easy, fall inspired, breakfasts all season long. Make them extra fancy with a drizzle of caramel sauce!
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk, regular or dairy free
1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/3 cup applesauce
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, or more if desired
1 tablespoon ground flax meal or protein powder of choice, optional*
Caramelized Apples
1 extra large apple, peeled and diced into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon butter, regular or dairy free
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon coconut sugar, or brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Make the caramelized apples. Peel and dice apple into small, bite-size pieces. You can make them whatever size you like, but I prefer to dice them pretty small so they have time to cook a little bit while caramelizing.
Heat a large pan over medium heat and add butter, apples, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Mix together and cook until butter is completely melted. Next, add the coconut sugar and a splash of water (about 1 tablespoon). Mix everything together until apples are completely coated with sugar mixture. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sauce has thickened. Turn heat off and let apples cool for just a few minutes.
Add the apples to a blender. Next, add in the milk, yogurt, applesauce, cinnamon and flax meal. If you prefer a colder smoothie, you can add a handful of ice cubes. Blend on high until smooth, or desired texture is reached. Pour smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Notes
Make these smoothies special by drizzling some caramel sauce into the cup before adding in the smoothie!
Prep Time: 10 mins
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