As September brings all the “back to school” activities – school supply shopping, high school football games, a hectic schedule, and for me – a general feeling of nostalgia for my childhood.
I loved school and the busy energy its return always brought. My parents both worked, and my sister and I were involved in every after-school activity you can imagine but they somehow managed to put a homemade dinner on the table most nights, and I’m determined to do the same with my very busy household as well. Dinners were usually simple, homemade versions of classic dishes, ones that kids love for the taste and parents love for the ease (and sometimes the ability to hide veggies in).
This week I’m diving into one of these classics – but I am adding a twist – wholesome for the whole family. Sloppy Joes, or as we call them “Untidy Josephine’s” since they’ll feel slightly more upscale as they are made from scratch. Enjoy!
Sloppy Joe
Total Time: 30 min
Makes: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 LBS. GROUND BEEF
- 1 LARGE ONION, SMALL DICED
- 1 GREEN BELL PEPPER, SMALL DICED
- 1 LARGE CARROT (OR HANDFUL OF BABY CARROTS), SMALL DICED
- 4 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED
- 2 TBS TOMATO PASTE
- 2 TBS BROWN SUGAR
- 1TBS POWERED (OR JAR) MUSTARD
- SALT & PEPPER, TO TASTE
- 1 12OZ. JAR CHILI SAUCE
- 1 CUP CHICKEN STOCK
- 1 TBS WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
- 8 HAMBURGER BUNS
Directions
- In a large pan, on medium-high heat, brown the ground meat until cooked about halfway through approximately 5 minutes. Remove the beef and place it into a medium bowl, set aside. Drain most of the rendered fat, leaving about 2 TBS left in the pan to cook the rest of the items
- Add diced onion, carrots, and bell pepper into a hot pan with beef fat. Sautee for approximately 5 minutes until it starts to soften. Add the browned ground beef back into the pan with the vegetables.
- Add dry ingredients: garlic, tomato paste, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture. Add wet ingredients: chili sauce, chicken stock, and Worcestershire Sauce. Stir thoroughly
- Lower to medium-low heat, let the mixture simmer together until the sauce thickens and flavors meld together, approximately 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool for a few minutes and serve warm on hamburger rolls
