Ingredients:
1 1/4 lb 90% ground beef
6 oz chili sauce (like Heinz)
3/4 cup water or beef stock
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 tablespoon dry mustard
freshly ground black pepper
sea salt

to serve:
hamburger dill pickle slices
rolls (I like mini sub rolls)
shredded cheddar

Directions:
In a large saucepan, saute the garlic and onion in olive oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add beef and saute until brown, stirring to break up the meat. Add the remaining ingredients. Saute, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes, until thickened. Serve on rolls with cheese and pickles.

My thoughts:

I can’t help it! I really do enjoy a good sloppy joe. We didn’t have them a ton growing up, my father was a super picky eater so we only had them when he wasn’t there and we used a jar of “Not So Sloppy Joe” which was fine but when I was an adult I realized I would make them from scratch however I wanted. I’ve made several versions over the 15(!) years I’ve had this blog but this one is perhaps the most family friendly and crowd-pleasing. They really do taste like cheeseburgers! Super classic and I think even easier than making hamburgers because you are just cooking the ground meat thoroughly and not worrying about how well done it is or keeping an eye on it. Just simmer and serve.