Dressed-up Sloppy Joes

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

1 pound lean ground beef

Seasoned salt

¾ cup ketchup

3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon brown sugar

1½ teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons tomato paste

⅓ cup water, plus more as needed

Freshly ground black pepper

4-6 high-quality sandwich or hamburger buns

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until beef is browned and fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with seasoned salt. Add ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce and stir. Add tomato paste and water, and stir to combine. Season with black pepper. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally and adding more water as needed, about 30 minutes. Serve on buns.

Serves four to six.

“Good Bite Weeknight Meals: Delicious Made Easy” (2011 Wiley)