Chili Cheese Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small sweet onion (finely diced)
• 3 cloves garlic ((minced or pressed, paste, or jar))
• 1 pound ground beef ((I use 93/7))
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
• shredded cheddar cheese & buns (for serving)

Instructions

1. 1

   In a large skillet pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced sweet onion and sauté translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

2. 2

   Add the garlic cloves and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

3. 3

   Add the ground beef, cook and crumble the beef until it's no longer pink. Drain any excess fat/grease from the pan.

4. 4

   Stir in the chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.

5. 5

   Stir in the tomato sauce, chili sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard until combined. Bring to a simmer (low boil) and then reduce the heat to low, and allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes.

6. 6

   Stir in the kidney beans and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, or until the beans are heated through. *If you prefer softer beans, add the beans in along with the tomato sauce in the step above and let it simmer all together 15-20 minutes.

7. 7

   Spoon the sloppy joe chili mixture onto the bottom halves of the buns. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top the chili. Place the top halves of the bun on each on and serve immediately.