White Trash Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cups water, divided
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• Worcestershire sauce, to taste
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• cayenne pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook the ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is no longer pink and is crumbled, about 10 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
4. Add 1 cup of the water and stir, scraping all of the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
5. Add in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
6. Add the remaining 1 cup of the water, stirring to combine.
7. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
8. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the moisture evaporates.
9. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste and serve immediately.