1-First Step: Preparation and Mise en Place Start by washing and drying your produce. Finely mince the green bell pepper and the large yellow onion. You want the pieces small enough that they cook down and blend into the sauce rather than remaining chunky. Mince the garlic cloves finely so they distribute evenly throughout the dish. Measure out all your spices and sauces beforehand. Having your ketchup, water, tomato paste, and spices ready in small bowls makes the actual cooking stress-free.

2-Second Step: Browning the Beef Grab a large skillet and place it over medium to medium-high heat. Add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted and the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat apart into small crumbles as it cooks. You want to brown the meat thoroughly, which usually takes about 5 minutes. This browning adds a lot of flavor to the final dish. Once the beef is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat and carefully drain the excess fat. Set the browned beef aside on a plate for a moment.

3-Third Step: Cooking the Vegetables Return the skillet to the heat. You will notice some tasty browned bits stuck to the bottom; that is flavor gold. Toss in the minced onion and green bell pepper. Cook these for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. You want the garlic to become fragrant but be careful not to burn it, as burnt garlic can taste bitter.

4-Fourth Step: Building the Sauce Base Now it is time to bring everything together. Return the browned beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the tablespoon of tomato paste right into the center of the pan. Stir it well, allowing it to cook for a minute or so to remove the raw taste. Then, pour in the ketchup, water, and brown sugar. Add the yellow mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and the optional red pepper flakes and hot sauce if you like a bit of heat. Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure every bit of meat and vegetables is coated in the sauce.

5-Final Step: Simmering and Serving Reduce the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer. This is where the magic happens as the sauce thickens. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the sauce to reduce slightly so it clings to the meat but is still saucy enough to soak into a bun. The consistency should be such that when you stir, the sauce parts slightly but fills back in slowly. Once it reaches your desired thickness, remove it from the heat. Serve immediately over toasted hamburger buns. For a classic Southern side, pair these sandwiches with some hot water cornbread to soak up any extra sauce.