Looking for a quick and delicious meal idea? Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are a fun and flavorful take on the classic sloppy joe. With savory beef filling piled onto crispy garlic Texas Toast and topped with melty colby jack cheese, this easy 20-minute recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Perfect for busy nights, these sloppy joes are a crowd-pleaser and a great option for home cooks of all skill levels. Plus, they use affordable pantry ingredients, making them budget-friendly!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe Idea
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes.
- Affordable: Uses everyday ingredients to keep costs low.
- Comfort Food: A nostalgic favorite with a delicious twist.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults.
- Customizable: Easily adjust to your taste with different toppings or flavors.
Ingredients
- Ciabatta Loaf: For this and other recipes with garlic bread, I like to use a large loaf, cut in half lengthwise. This recipe would also work with smaller ciabatta rolls to make individual sloppy joe garlic bread servings. Instead of Ciabatta, try French bread or thick slices of rustic Italian bread.
- Ground Beef: You can use whatever style of ground beef you enjoy, but I prefer to use leaner beef. Ground turkey works well too, or you can make ground chicken sloppy joes.
- Cheese: A combination of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese melts beautifully on top of the garlic bread. Whenever possible, shred cheese from a brick rather than buying the pre-shredded bagged kind. It melts better!
- Garlic and Onions: Fresh aromatics make the sloppy joe sauce taste amazing. If you like, add a bit of chopped green bell pepper to the mix for a bolder flavor.
- Seasonings: The sweet and savory flavor of homemade sloppy joe sauce relies on a combination of tangy ketchup and mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Get Ready: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to make clean-up super easy. Slice the loaf of bread in half lengthwise, spread it with softened butter, and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Start the Sloppy Joes: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, and cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Drain away the grease. Then add diced onion and cook until softened. Next, add the garlic and saute briefly, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Flavor: To make the sauce, add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the meat. Stir to combine and cover with a lid.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Assemble the Garlic Bread: Divide the sloppy joe mixture between the ciabatta bread halves and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake the garlic bread in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges of the bread are golden brown. Remove from the oven. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and slice to serve.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes with these tasty sides for a complete meal:
- Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad: A light and colorful side dish.
- Roasted Green Beans and Tomatoes: Adds freshness to balance the richness.
- Crispy French Fries: A fun, diner-inspired classic.
- Coleslaw: Offers a tangy crunch to complement the savory flavors.
Tips and Tricks
- Make Your Own Garlic Bread: For an extra burst of flavor, try homemade garlic bread.
- Customize Toppings: Add jalapeños, onions, or pickles for variety.
- Spicy Version: Mix in hot sauce or red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Cheese Variations: Try mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack for a different twist.
- Leftovers: Store the leftover sloppy joe filling for up to 3 days and assemble when ready to serve.
Variations
- Vegetarian Option: Swap the ground beef for plant-based meat or lentils.
- BBQ Sloppy Joes: Replace ketchup with BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor.
- Cheesy Garlic Bread Joes: Add extra cheese to the garlic bread before topping with the sloppy joe filling.
- Loaded Joes: Add sour cream, avocado, or crispy fried onions for extra texture and flavor.
FAQs
- Can I use homemade garlic bread? Yes, toast your favorite bread with butter, garlic, and parsley for a homemade touch.
- What other bread can I use? French bread, ciabatta, or baguette are great alternatives if you can’t find Texas Toast.
- Can I freeze the sloppy joe filling? Absolutely! Freeze it for up to 2 months, then thaw and reheat when ready to serve.
- How can I make this healthier? Use ground turkey or chicken and opt for whole-grain garlic bread.
Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are a modern, fun twist on a classic favorite. Try this recipe and bring some comfort and flavor to your table tonight!