Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp. butter, plus more for buttering rolls
  
• 2 1/2 lb. ground beef
  
• 1/2 large onion, diced
  
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
  
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
  
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  
• 2 tsp. chili powder, plus more to taste
  
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
  
• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
  
• 1 cup water
  
• Kosher salt, to taste
  
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste (optional)
  
• Worcestershire sauce, to taste
  
• Tabasco sauce, to taste (optional)
  
• 8 Kaiser rolls
  
• Kettle cooked potato chips, for serving

Instructions 

1. Brown the Beef
   Warm the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain off most of the excess fat.
2. Cook the Vegetables
   Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the pan. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Build the Sauce
   Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and water. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. If you’d like, add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
4. Prepare the Rolls and Serve
   Lightly butter the Kaiser rolls and toast them in a skillet or on a griddle until golden. Pile the hot meat mixture onto the toasted rolls. Add a slice of cheese if you’d like. Serve immediately with kettle cooked potato chips.