Name: Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce; ¼ cup ketchup*; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1½ teaspoons yellow mustard (or to taste); 2–3 teaspoons brown sugar (or to taste)*; 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil (or any high-heat cooking oil); 1 pound lean ground beef (85%–90% lean); ½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste); ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste); 1 small onion, finely chopped; ½ small green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced (or substitute with ½ cup grated carrot); 3 garlic cloves, minced; 5 hamburger buns, toasted if desired

Description

A classic American sandwich made with juicy ground beef simmered in a tangy tomato-based sauce—easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

¼ cup ketchup*

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1½ teaspoons yellow mustard (or to taste)

2–3 teaspoons brown sugar (or to taste)*

For the Sloppy Joes:

1 tablespoon extra light olive oil (or any high-heat cooking oil)

1 pound lean ground beef (85%–90% lean)

½ teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

1 small onion, finely chopped

½ small green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced (or substitute with ½ cup grated carrot)

3 garlic cloves, minced

5 hamburger buns, toasted if desired

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Instructions

Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Set aside.

Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed. Season with salt and pepper.

Add vegetables: Stir in chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, until vegetables are softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.

Simmer with sauce: Pour in the prepared sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until thickened to your preference. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve: Spoon the beef mixture onto toasted hamburger buns and serve warm.

Notes

Ketchup adds sweetness, acidity, and richness to the sauce.

Add sugar gradually depending on how sweet your ketchup is.

Flavor Adjustments:

Too sweet? Add a pinch of salt or ½ tsp apple cider vinegar.

Too tangy? Add a bit more brown sugar or ketchup.

Too tomato-y? Simmer longer to concentrate flavors.

Too thick? Add a splash of water. Too thin? Simmer uncovered.

Missing depth? Add extra Worcestershire sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Lunch, Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American