Slow-Cooker So-Easy Sloppy Joes

16 servings

Ingredients

3 lb. lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 (12-oz.) bottle chili sauce

1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste

2 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper

16 sandwich buns, split

Steps

1 In large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, celery and bell pepper over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
2 In 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker, combine ground beef mixture and all remaining ingredients except buns; mix well.
3 Cover; cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours.
4 Stir; spoon beef mixture into buns.

Tips

Sloppy Joes are perfect for busy-day meals and casual dinner parties because the filling is easily prepared ahead. Flavors improve while the filling rests in the refrigerator for up to a day.
Try Sloppy Joe Shortcakes: Bake one 16.3-ounce can Pillsbury® Grands!® Refrigerated buttermilk Layer Biscuits as directed on the label. Split the hot biscuits in half. Spoon the meat mixture onto biscuit bottoms; cover with biscuit tops; sprinkle with shredded Cheddar cheese.
Serve the Sloppy Joe filling over cooked ravioli. Pass the pepper mill and a bowl of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.