Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes (Printable)
Buttery garlic-bread halves piled with savory beef-tomato filling and 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 the ground beef until well browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat as needed.
03 - Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
05 - Slice baguette in half lengthwise. In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt.
06 - Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both cut sides of the bread. Arrange bread halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake in preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly golden.
08 - Generously spoon the prepared sloppy joe filling over one half of each bread piece. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Return to oven for 5 to 6 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
10 - Close the sandwiches with the top halves, press gently, and slice into portions. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It satisfies both garlic bread cravings and the need for a hearty, saucy bite all at once.
- You get the best of nostalgic flavors plus enough cheese to make everyone at the table grin like a kid.
02 -
- If your bread is too soft, it'll soak up sauce and collapse – always go crusty!
- Baking the bread before adding filling keeps it from turning soggy in the middle.
03 -
- Always let the filling cool a minute before loading up the bread, so nobody burns their fingers in the excitement.
- Rubbing the cut baguette with a raw garlic clove before spreading butter intensifies the flavor in the best way.