Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes

This past weekend, I did some major freezer cooking.  My husband has recently accepted a new position with a company.  While overall, the schedule is much better for our family (he is home on the weekends now with us.. WAHOO!), it has taken a bit to adjust.  I was so used to him being home a couple of days during the week.. he would help around the house tremendously... so we have had a bit of a lag at our house the past few weeks.  We are adjusting to the new schedule.

I needed to get organized.  One thing that has helped me in the past, is doing some bulk cooking on a weekend, and have my freezer stocked up.  It takes SO much work out of the equation during the busy week days.  It is ALOT of work the weekend when you are doing the bulk of the cooking.. but in my opinion.. it is worth it. So so so so so worth it.

The next few recipes are the ones that I knocked out this past weekend.  ALL are from Pinterest.. so none are original recipes.. although I have adapted some of them to work best for us.

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes

What You Need:

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2-1/2 pounds Ground Beef
• 1/2 whole Large Onion, Diced
• 1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 cup Ketchup
• 1 cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)
• 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
•  Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste
• 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional)
•  Tabasco Sauce (optional; To Taste)
•  Salt To Taste
•  Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

What You Do:

Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.

Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

I split this recipe into 2 freezer bags before freezing.  

Enjoy!  :)