Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes

This Easy Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe is a classic comfort food that’s both quick and satisfying. Made with lean ground beef, onions, and bell peppers, this dish combines savory, sweet, and tangy flavors for the perfect sloppy joe filling. It’s an ideal weeknight dinner that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, making it a go-to for busy families. The addition of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and a touch of brown sugar creates a mouthwatering sauce that clings to the beef, while a pinch of red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of heat. Serve on toasted buns for a hearty meal!

---

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• ½ small green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ½ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup water
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Toasted buns, for serving

---

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beef and Vegetables:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the ground beef, diced onion, and bell pepper to the skillet, breaking the meat into crumbles with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
• Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are tender.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
• Drain any excess grease from the skillet to remove the fat.

2. Add the Sauce Ingredients:

• Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, ensuring it’s well combined with the beef mixture.
• Add the ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if you want a little heat).
• Stir until everything is evenly mixed.

3. Simmer and Thicken:

• Reduce the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly.

4. Serve:

• Remove the skillet from the heat. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted buns.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

---

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joes:

• Customize the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of brown sugar, or substitute with honey for a more natural sweetness.
• Get Creative with Add-ins: For extra flavor, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar for tang or a few drops of hot sauce for heat.
• Toasting the Buns: To prevent the buns from getting soggy, toast them on a skillet with a little butter or olive oil until golden brown before adding the sloppy joe filling.
• Make It Ahead: Sloppy Joes taste even better the next day as the flavors meld, so feel free to make the filling ahead and store it in the fridge. Just reheat and serve!

This simple and delicious Sloppy Joe recipe is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike, providing a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors!