Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes (Printer-friendly)
Buttery garlic bread filled with savory sloppy joe beef and melted cheeses—an easy, crowd-friendly main.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Sloppy Joe Filling
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 tablespoons ketchup
08 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon brown sugar
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
→ Garlic Bread
14 - 1 large French baguette or Italian loaf
15 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
16 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
19 - 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
20 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# How-To Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until evenly browned, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat as needed.
03 - Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring until vegetables soften.
04 - Incorporate tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Slice the baguette in half lengthwise. In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
06 - Spread garlic butter evenly over each bread half. Arrange cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden.
07 - Generously layer hot sloppy joe filling onto one half of the bread. Sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
08 - Return to the oven for 5 to 6 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Place remaining baguette half on top to form sandwiches, press gently, and slice into portions. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This recipe’s secretly your shortcut to feeding a crowd without breaking a sweat.
- The crispy garlic bread means even leftovers never get soggy or boring.
02 -
- If you try to pile the filling on too soon before serving, the bread can get soggy—wait until the very end.
- Letting the sauce simmer a little longer than you think really intensifies the flavor and keeps the filling from running out the sides.
03 -
- If you use a day-old baguette, the texture keeps that crunch even with hot filling.
- For ultimate melty cheese pull, layer mozzarella last and broil for just a minute at the end.