Mix baking soda with water and toss with ground beef.
Sauté chopped onion in a skillet until softened.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until no longer pink.
Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, paprika, and garlic.
Use a potato masher to break down the beef into fine pieces.
Stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
