Sloppy Joes

• servings: 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp olive oil

1.5 lbs ground beef

1 green bell pepper, minced

1 large yellow onion, minced

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 cup ketchup

2/3 cup water

1 Tbsp brown sugar (or less, if you prefer)

2 tsp.yellow mustard

1and 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apartinto crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30seconds or so, until fragrant. Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste. Stir well.

3. Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

4. Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.

Notes

-yummy sides are tater tots, cole slaw, or corn on the cob

-if you want to add a cheese slice, make open faced buns, cover with a piece of cheddar and broil on high until melted.