Sloppy Joes

 
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If you are looking for an easy weeknight meal, look no further than these Sloppy Joes. With only a handful of ingredients you can quickly throw together a delicious dinner that will satisfy the whole family. This is a meal that even our 4 year old son will request. However, getting him to actually sit down to eat them is a slightly different story. If you are not a fan of onions and peppers, you could exclude them, but I recommend including them as they add an extra level of flavor and texture to the sandwiches. Serve with fries and a pickle and you are all set.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 1 pound ground beef

  • ½ green bell pepper, minced

  • 1 small yellow onion, minced

  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced

  • ½ teaspoon chili powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • ½ tablespoon hot sauce, optional, but recommended

  • ⅓ cup ketchup

  • ⅔ cup water

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Preparing The Meal

Begin by adding 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil to a large skillet over heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. When the oil is ready, stir in the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until browned, stirring occasionally and breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, remove the beef from the skillet, and set aside keeping covered. Heat the remaining oil, then add the peppers and onions, cooking for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper, and cook for 30 seconds. Add the beef back to the skillet, and stir to combine with the vegetables. Then add the tomato paste, brown sugar, and hot sauce (if using) and stir to combine. Next, add the ketchup, water, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir until thoroughly combined. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until mixture has thickened, stirring occasionally. When the mixture has thickened to the desired consistency, remove from the heat. To serve, scoop a generous portion onto a toasted bun, and enjoy immediately with your preferred sides.

 
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