Homemade Sloppy Joes

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• 1 tablespoon olive oil
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground beef
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 each small sweet onion (diced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 small sweet onion (diced)
• 1/2 each small green bell pepper (diced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 small green bell pepper (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1/2 cup ketchup
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup water
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 each toasted buns (for serving)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 4 toasted buns (for serving)

1. Warm olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion, and bell pepper; breaking up the meat into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5 minutes until beef is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
2. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Drain off grease.
3. Stir in tomato paste until thoroughly combined.
4. Add in ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
5. Gently simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until mixture has thickened.
6. Remove from heat and serve on toasted buns and enjoy!