Forkast
← All recipes

THE FORKAST KITCHEN

Cheesy lentil sloppy joe melts

Canned lentils simmer in tomato sauce with peppers and smoky seasoning, then top buns with melted cheddar. About 25 minutes; serves four.

About 25 minutes · serves 4

By Forkast. This recipe has not been kitchen-tested; timing is an estimate.

Start cooking ↓
Open-faced buns topped with smoky tomato lentils and melted cheddar.
AI-generated recipe illustration

Let’s make dinner

  1. 1

    Soften the vegetables

    Dice the onion and bell pepper. Heat the oil in a wide skillet over medium. Cook 6–7 minutes, stirring, until soft and lightly browned at the edges.

  2. 2

    Simmer the lentil filling

    Add tomato sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, paprika, and drained lentils. Simmer 6–8 minutes, stirring often, until thick enough to mound on a spoon.

  3. 3

    Pile, top, and melt

    Toast the split buns lightly. Spoon on the hot lentil filling and add cheddar. Broil 2–3 minutes, watching constantly, until the cheese bubbles. Rest 2 minutes before serving.

Canned lentils become a thick, smoky sandwich filling with onion, pepper, and tomato sauce. Toast the buns before loading them so they stay crisp. Watch the broiler continuously and let the hot cheese rest briefly. Contains wheat, milk, and soy unless suitable labeled alternatives are used.

Questions before you cook

Can I start with dry lentils?

The method starts with cooked canned lentils. Dry lentils need separate cooking and cannot be added with the same simmering time.

How thick should the filling be?

Simmer until it is thick enough to mound on a spoon before putting it on the toasted buns. This helps keep the bread from getting soggy.

Substitutions and ingredient choices

Another melting cheese is an untested alternative to cheddar. Check its allergens and watch it closely under the broiler.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Refrigerate perishable leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use leftovers within 3–4 days. Reheat leftovers to 165°F, checking with a food thermometer. These are general USDA safety limits, not a tested shelf-life claim for this recipe.

Store filling separately from buns when possible. Reheat the filling in a saucepan, then assemble with toast and cheese.

USDA: Leftovers and Food Safety

HAVE DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS?

Find your kitchen’s next move.

Photograph what you have. Forkast helps you choose between three dinner directions, shaped around your family.

Get Forkast for iPhone ↗Forkast Family membership is required for kitchen scanning. Monthly and annual options are shown in the app.