Smokey Joes

1 pound bacon
1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion chopped
2 cans 8 ounce tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground beef
1 pound package shredded cheddar cheese
8 hamburger buns

In a large skillet, cook bacon; drain, reserving fat. Crumble bacon and set aside. Leaving enough bacon grease in the pan to coat the pan, saute the chopped onion until transparent. Add 2 cans tomato sauce and pepper, simmer uncovered.

In a separate skillet, brown ground beef, drain before adding onion and tomato mixture. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stir in crumbled bacon and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat to very low and stir in cheese. A third can of tomato sauce can be added if desired.