1-Start your slow cooker sloppy joes: by melting 2 tablespoons of salted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. This step sets the foundation for rich flavors. Brown 2 1/2 pounds of ground beef for about 5 to 7 minutes, then drain the excess fat to keep things from getting too greasy.

2-Next, add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 large diced green bell pepper, half a large diced onion, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables soften, which takes another 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer everything to a 6-quart slow cooker and stir in the sauce: 1 1/2 cups ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and 1/2 cup water.

3-Set the slow cooker to high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, letting the flavors develop and the sauce reduce slightly. For serving, toast 8 split kaiser rolls buttered on the cut sides until golden, then fill each with about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture. You can add cheese slices like cheddar, American, or pepper jack if you like, and pair it with hot sauce, kettle-cooked potato chips, and dill pickle spears. The whole process takes about 20 minutes of prep and a total of around 2 hours and 20 minutes.