Introduction

Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes add a flavorful twist to a classic comfort food. This recipe combines savory sloppy joe filling with buttery garlic bread and melted cheese for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknights or gatherings.

A sandwich is shown on a white plate with a soft, light brown bun on top and bottom. Inside, there is a thick layer of cooked ground beef mixed with red sauce, filling most of the sandwich. On top of the meat, shredded white cheese is spread unevenly, slightly melting into the hot filling. Some fresh green leaves are placed beside the sandwich on the plate. In the background, there is a blurred dark brown bowl with grated cheese and a glass of dark beverage. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 loaf Italian bread
½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 pound ground beef
¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
¾ cup (180 g) ketchup
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup water
1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic salt. Spread this evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
Step 3: Place the bread halves on a baking sheet, buttered side up, and toast in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Step 4: While the bread is toasting, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 5: Stir in garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, kosher salt, black pepper, and water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 6: Remove the toasted bread from the oven and spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly over both halves.
Step 7: Combine the shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheeses, then sprinkle evenly over the sloppy joe topping.
Step 8: Return the bread to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, slice, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef for the sloppy joe filling.
Add diced green bell peppers or jalapeños to the beef mixture for extra flavor and a bit of heat.
For a spicy kick, mix in a teaspoon of hot sauce or chili powder into the sloppy joe sauce.
Try using Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese for a different cheesy flavor profile.
Make sure to toast the garlic bread first to keep it from getting soggy under the sloppy joe mixture.

Storage

Store any leftover sloppy joe garlic bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to keep the bread crispy and cheese melty. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

A sandwich on a soft, light brown bun with a slightly rough top texture, filled with a thick layer of dark brown cooked ground meat mixed with a reddish sauce, topped with a thin layer of white shredded cheese. The sandwich sits on a white plate next to some fresh green leafy garnish, all placed on a surface with a white marbled texture. In the background, there is a dark bowl with a white and pink mixture and a glass of dark liquid. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the sloppy joe mixture in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the sloppy joe filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it. Reheat gently before assembling the garlic bread to keep the flavors fresh.

What can I substitute for Italian bread?

French bread or a sturdy sandwich roll work well as substitutes. The key is to use a bread that holds up when toasted and topped with the sloppy joe mixture.

Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 86 reviews

Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes combine the classic comfort of sloppy joe filling with the rich, buttery flavor of garlic bread, topped with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese. This hearty and flavorful recipe is perfect for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Sandwich
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

1 loaf Italian bread
½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Sloppy Joe Filling

1 pound ground beef
¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
¾ cup (180 g) ketchup
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup water

Topping

1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Prepare Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with garlic salt to create a flavorful garlic butter spread for the bread.
Prepare the Bread: Slice the Italian bread loaf in half lengthwise. Generously spread the garlic butter mixture on the cut sides of the bread to ensure every bite is rich with garlic flavor.
Cook Sloppy Joe Filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped yellow onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions have softened, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
Add Seasonings: Stir in garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, kosher salt, black pepper, and water. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients and simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
Preheat Oven and Toast Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the garlic buttered bread halves on a baking sheet, cut side up, and toast them in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy on the edges.
Assemble Sloppy Joes: Remove the toasted bread halves from the oven. Spoon the hot sloppy joe mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese generously on top of the sloppy joe filling. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Slice into servings and serve immediately while warm and cheesy.

Notes

For extra spice, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe mixture.
You can substitute Italian bread with French baguette or sourdough if preferred.
For a lighter version, use ground turkey instead of beef.
Leftover sloppy joe filling can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If desired, broil the bread with cheese for 1-2 minutes at the end for a crispier cheese topping.

Keywords: garlic bread, sloppy joes, cheesy sloppy joes, Italian bread sandwich, comfort food, easy dinner