Sloppy Joes

These Sloppy Joes are everything you could wish for in this crowd-pleasing sandwich—a rich, meaty filling smothered in tangy-sweet, thick tomato sauce that just refuses to stay inside the bun. You definitely need a fork and a few napkins to eat this mouthwatering meal!

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  1 lb. lean or extra-lean (90% lean or higher) ground beef
  
  


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  1 medium onion, diced (about 1-1/2 cups)
  
  


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  4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 tsp.)
  
  


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  1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
  
  


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  1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced (about 1 cup)
  
  


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  One 15.5-oz. can small red or pinto beans, preferably low-sodium, drained and rinsed
  
  


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  1-1/2 cups no-salt-added tomato sauce
  
  


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  2 Tbs. tomato paste
  
  


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  1 Tbs. red wine vinegar
  
  


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  1 Tbs. unsulfured molasses
  
  


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  1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
  
  


• 
  
  1 tsp. dry mustard
  
  


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  3/4 tsp. salt
  
  


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  Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  
  


• 
  
  8 whole-wheat burger buns
  
  

Brown the meat and onion in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, breaking up the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Pour the drippings out of the pan and discard. Add the garlic, jalapeño, and red pepper and cook 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, except the buns, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for another 5 minutes.

Place a 1/2-cup scoop of the mixture onto each bun and serve.