Bacon Sloppy Joes

Nate & I are seriously addicted to this recipe. One day we were looking for a good sloppy joe recipe and stumbled upon this one by Rachael Ray. We will NEVER have canned sloppy joes again! You are welcome to put in the onion & cloves. We just choose not to.

Bacon Sloppy Joes

4 strips of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion, finely chopped (we don't put in)
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped (any pepper works)
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped (we don't put in)
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 hamburger buns, toasted

In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 7 minutes; push to the side of the skillet. Increase the heat to high, add the ground beef and cook, stirring to break up any clumps, until cooked through, about 7 minutes. Stir in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve on the toasted buns