Taco Joe’s! Just like the traditional version ‘sloppy joe’s’ that we all grew up with except with a south of the border twist! Perfect for a family gathering or in my case- what I make when both of my son’s have friends over! Best part- you can make this in the slow cooker too!
Taco Joe’s ~ A great family meal!
Right now we are still on Christmas break and my kids think that the kitchen is open 24/7. Well, as much as I love making them tasty treats when I have them all to myself- I do not want to feel like I spend 2 weeks straight in the kitchen. That’s where a meal like Taco Joe’s comes in. This Taco Joe’s recipe is like an all-in-one taco. I keep it warm in a slow cooker and set out a few toppings along with a hefty stack of Toufayan Bakeries Smart Pockets and then everyone can eat at their leisure.
A few years ago I realized that I made some version of tacos once a week. Hey! They are easy, cheap and my family likes them. But my oldest was still resisting eating beans. I think it was just the thought of them- he really had no reason NOT to eat them. So I got all sneaky and pureed a can of rinsed and drained pinto beans and folded them into cooked ground beef. It worked like a charm. He got the additional protein and was never the wiser. (Don’t you tell him!). Sneaky Ingredient Mexican Beef became a thing in our house.
Fast forward to today- I have SIX guys to feed in addition to my THREE. I need to stretch this meat, salsa and seasoning. Boom. I made Taco Joe’s!
Very few ingredients are needed for this Taco Joe’s recipe. Today I made it on the stove top but you can also make it in a slow cooker easily. Use whatever brand of salsa, enchilada sauce (or taco sauce) and seasoning you have on hand. I make my own taco seasoning but there are several varieties on the market that are just as good. Mine just has less sodium. Stir that in first once the meat is browned and drained. By the way- this ground meat masher has made cooking ground meat so much easier.
I served our Taco Joe’s on soft, low calorie Toufayan Smart Pockets. I love these because they do not easily fall apart and they actually taste good. They are thinner and with 0 g Trans Fat and 0 mg Cholesterol and only 100 calories- they fit in most healthy lifestyle eating patterns. They come in four great tasting varieties including Plain, Everything, Wheat, and Cinnamon Raisin. My favorite is Everything! Get more info HERE.
This post is presented to you in partnership with Toufayan Bakeries. I love these guys. Have you checked out my other recipes featuring Toufayan?
3 Easy Ways to Use Leftover Tortillas and Wraps
Spinach Feta Dip with Toufayan Pita Chips
More Toufayan recipes on Basilmomma.com
Make this ahead and keep warm in a slow cooker or on the stove top!
Save RecipeIngredients
- 3 lbs lean ground beef or other ground meat
- 16 oz salsa
- 1 can black beans, rinsed, drained and mashed (or use refried beans)
- 10-12 oz enchilada sauce OR taco sauce
- 2 TB taco seasoning (or 1-1 oz packet)
- toppings: lettuce, cheese, sour cream, guacamole
- Toufayan Smart Pockets
Instructions
- Brown ground meat and drain any grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning.
- Fold in mashed beans.
- Stir in taco sauce/enchilada sauce and salsa.
- Simmer on low 5-7 minutes.
- Serve OR place in slow cooker on warm 2-3 hours.
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