Homemade Sloppy Joes

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90/10)

1 small sweet onion (diced)

1 small green bell pepper (diced)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups beef stock

1 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions

Heat vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat.

Add onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in tomato paste, garlic, paprika, chili powder and cayenne pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Stir in beef stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Stir in ketchup, Dijon, Worcestershire and brown sugar; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors have blended, about 15-20 minutes.

Serve immediately.