INGREDIENTS:
1 pound Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
1 cup minced sweet onion
1 cup minced green bell pepper
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) unsalted tomato sauce
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
4 whole wheat hamburger buns or 8 slider buns
Toppings:
Dill pickle slices, coleslaw, American or Cheddar cheese slices (optional)
COOKING:
1. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add onion, cook 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown. Add Ground Beef and bell pepper; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking beef into 1/2-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally.
Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and mustard; increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil; cook 5 to 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, as desired.
Cook's Tip: You may add an additional 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce for sweeter, richer flavor.
3. Divide beef mixture evenly among buns. Top with pickles, coleslaw and cheese, if desired. Close sandwiches.
Cook's Tip: You may serve the beef mixture over hot cooked whole wheat pasta instead of buns.