Heat a frying pan or large pot with a bit of cooking oil over medium high heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and break apart with a spatula. Cook until ground beef has browned. Add to a plate and set aside. Use a paper towel and spatula to swish around and absorb excess grease from the pan.
Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 chopped celery stalks to the pan with 1 Tbsp more of cooking oil. Cook until the vegetables have softened.
Add back in the cooked ground beef along with ¾ cup ketchup (or tomato sauce), 1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp worcestershire sauce, and 2 tsp yellow mustard. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture has thickened.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns (see notes) and enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
Use lean ground beef or a beef/pork blend for less grease.
Use the tip of a wooden spatula or firm silicone spatula to break apart the ground beef while cooking.
Chop the green bell pepper small, it will cook faster.
Swap ketchup for a can of plain tomato sauce for a less sweet option.
Toast a big batch of hamburger buns all at once in the oven at 400F or on the broil setting. Brush the bread with a bit of oil to help it crispen up.