Messy Mikes

Ingredients:

1 medium Onion

1 Bell Pepper

2 cloves Garlic

1 lb Ground Beef*

1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce

2 tbsp Ketchup

1 tbsp Tomato Paste

1 tbsp Spicy Brown Mustard

1 tsp Worchestershire Sauce

Hot Sauce, to taste

Crushed Red Pepper, to taste

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Mince onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

2. Break up and brown ground beef over medium high heat with salt and pepper. If the meat releases a lot of grease, drain and return to heat.

3. Reduce heat to medium, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

4. Add salt and pepper and saute until soft.

5. Add remaining ingredients and stir to incorporate. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve on hamburger buns.

*We typically use 90/10 ground beef, but use what you like. Just be sure to drain excess grease, if needed. We’ve also made this with ground chicken and turkey and could not really tell a difference.

I am using ground turkey this time because it’s what I had in the freezer. It looks different because the meat is lighter, but is still delicious!

Again, ground turkey. The meat is browned, so bell pepper and onion go in. I hate green bell pepper, so always use red, but use whatever color you want. See! Versatility!

Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. You can throw in the ingredients one at a time or mix them together first.

I usually start with 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes and a few dashes of hot sauce. If you like it spicy, add more.

Cook together for a few minutes and it’s ready!

Our favorite side is tater tots. Bonus points if you can find these Alexia CRISPY SEASONED POTATO PUFFS WITH ROASTED GARLIC & CRACKED BLACK PEPPER because they are so good.

Like toppings? I like to add cheese and pickles. Also, my preferred way to eat leftovers is to make a layer of tater tots in the container, pile messy mike over top and then cover with cheese. You’ll look forward to lunch the next day!