Sloppy joes

I have never been a real big fan of sloppy joes. Or maybe its because I don't really care to eat meat that much.  But I realized my husband is big red meat eater so I need to start cooking with beef more often.  As I was thinking of recipes I remembered about the sloppy joes.  I usually just used Manwich but this recipe from the Pioneer Women is fantastic.  It is a little bit spicy if you have little ones, so just adjust the recipe a little bit for them.  But this recipe was FANTASTIC I actually enjoyed eating them so much better then the can sauce! 

Rinse and chop your green peppers, onions and fresh garlic if you have it

Brown your hamburger with onions, when done drain the fat

Next we need to add the water, ketchup, bell peppers and minced garlic

Then add brown sugar, chili powder, red pepper flakes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and mustard

Let simmer for about 20 minutes so all the flavors can settle in and get thicker

While the meat is simmering I like to toast my buns.  I think it helps the bun from getting to soggy. For extra flavor spread some butter on the bun for extra tastiness

Don't forget to add cheese to the party.  Everything tastes better with a slice of cheese

Sloppy Joes

1 pound hamburger

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup green pepper

1 tsp fresh minced garlic or 2 garlic cloves

3/4 ketchup

1 cup water

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp chili powder

1 Tbsp Mustard

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

2 Tbsp Tomato Paste

Dash of red pepper flakes(optional)

Dash of salt and pepper

Hamburger buns

Cheese (optional, but highly recommended)

Cook hamburger with onions when done drain fat.  Next add bell peppers, garlic, ketchup and water stir together.  Add in brown sugar, chili powder, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Taste to see if you need to add a little more spice to the party.  Let simmer together for 20 minutes so the flavors can settle in.

Spread butter on top of buns and toast.  Place a spoonful of meat on the bun and top with cheese.  Everything tastes better with cheese on top!

Serve with chips, fries, baked beans or watermelon or whatever sounds good.

My Notes

I used fresh minced garlic instead of a glove and it tasted just fine.  With the tomato paste you obviously don't use the whole can.  So I place the extra in container and freeze and spoon out as much as need with my next recipe.