# Components:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 ratio preferred)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
10 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon salt
14 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ To Serve
15 - 4 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
16 - Butter for toasting buns (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Break up the meat with a spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables soften, approximately 4 minutes.
03 - Incorporate the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Lower heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens, about 8 to 10 minutes.
05 - While simmering, toast the hamburger buns in a skillet or oven. Optionally, spread butter on the buns before toasting.
06 - Ladle the sloppy joe filling onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Place the top halves over and serve immediately.
