Homemade Sloppy Joes

I have always wanted to like Sloppy Joes, and I've tried lots of times, but Manwich just doesn't do it for me. I don't know why I never thought to just make them myself, from scratch. Well, I needed a quick, casual meal for some friends at the last minute and since Sloppy Joes are such a crowd pleaser I decided to give it a try. I wasn't going to serve my guests Manwich, no way! I relied on my trusty source, Pioneer Woman, who never lets me down. This recipe was delicious! It got rave reviews from the guests. I'll definitely be making these again and never going back to a canned mix again! It was such a cinch and they were the best sloppy joes I ever did have. :)

Homemade Sloppy Joes
adapted from Pioneer Woman

2-½ pounds Ground Beef

½ whole Large Onion, Diced

1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced

5 cloves Garlic, Minced

1-½ cup Ketchup *Instead of the 1/2 cup of ketchup I substituted in our favorite BBQ sauce

1 cup Water

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)

1 teaspoon Dry Mustard

½ teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste) *I did not add these

Worcestershire Sauce *I used about a Tablespoon

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste 

Tabasco Sauce (To taste)

Salt To Taste

Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

*For a more smoky taste to your sloppy joes try a titch of smoked paprika

Sesame Buns, or whatever buns you like!

Brown ground beef and drain most of the fat and discard. Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft. Add ketchup, *bbq sauce if desired, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls, topping with a slice of cheese if it makes your skirt fly up. 

*Pioneer Woman suggests they are yummiest when you grill the buns first!