Sloppy Joes

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds ground meat

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced red bell pepper

2 cloves garlic minced

2- 8 ounces cans tomato sauce

3 tablespoons tomato paste

½ cup barbecue sauce I have used my own recipe, and I have also used some Stubbs brand, neither of which contain high fructose corn syrup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Tabasco or your favourite hot sauce – this seems like a lot, but it isn’t too hot at all

salt and ground black pepper to taste

sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes optional

Hamburger buns

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the ground meat.

Using a spatula, break the ground meat up.

Add the onion, red bell pepper and garlic.

Cover and allow the meat to brown and the onions, peppers and garlic to soften, about 8 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.

Drain off any excess fat, either by using the lid as a strainer, or by dumping the meat mixture into a colander and returning the mixture to the pan.

Once the fat has been drained off, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire and Tabasco.

Stir to combine.

Add salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Simmer to thicken, about 10 minutes.

Serve hot on hamburger buns.