Sloppy Freds (aka Sloppy Joe)

We call these sloppy Fred’s in honor of my dad.  No rhyme or reason for it. He would make us all giggle when he called them that growing up. He figured he didn’t know who Joe was, and figured Fred deserved a “sammich” too.

Over the years I have tweaked our family recipe, and this is our favorite thus far. We are not sloppy Fred family that comes out of a can. MUST be from scratch. 🙂 Homemade is the best way!

So — I dedicate this post to my father who passed away just a little over 2 years ago.  Love you Daddy!!
Ingredients

* 1 pound lean ground beef
* 1/4 cup chopped onion
* 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
* 1/4 cup ketchup
* 1/2 cup tomato sauce
* 3 teaspoons brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* salt to taste
* ground black pepper to taste
*a dash or 2 of pepper sauce (aka Tabasco) OPTIONAL
Directions

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, lightly brown the ground beef, with just a little bit of pink left; drain off liquids.
2. Stir in the onion, and green pepper and cook till tender.
3. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pepper sauce and brown sugar; mix thoroughly.  Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

This is also a great way to sneak in some veggies. Add some baked fries and the kids (and big kids) are happy too!