Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes (Printable Version)
Ground beef in tangy tomato sauce piled onto garlicky baguette halves with melted mozzarella and Parmesan.
# 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 Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking up pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Incorporate tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
05 - Slice the baguette in half lengthwise. In a small bowl, blend softened butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt.
06 - Spread garlic butter evenly over each bread half and arrange cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven.
07 - Spoon sloppy joe filling generously onto one side of each bread half. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
08 - Return the bread to the oven for 5 to 6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Sandwich the two bread halves together, pressing gently to secure. Slice into portions and serve immediately.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It turns two comfort food classics into one ridiculously satisfying meal that disappears fast.
- The garlic bread adds a toasty, cheesy crunch that plain hamburger buns could never compete with.
- Everything comes together in about 40 minutes with zero fussy techniques.
02 -
- Drain the beef well or the bread will get soggy before anyone takes a second bite.
- Letting the filling simmer long enough to thicken is the difference between a great sandwich and a sloppy mess that falls apart.
- Softened butter is nonnegotiable. Cold butter tears the bread and spreads unevenly.
03 -
- Toast the garlic bread just until lightly golden on the first bake so it doesnt over crisp when it goes back in with the cheese.
- A thin layer of filling works better than overloading because it keeps the sandwich structurally sound enough to actually pick up and eat.