Name: Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
Ingredients: 1 loaf Italian bread.; ½ cup 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 ketchup.; ½ teaspoon kosher salt.; ¼ teaspoon black pepper.; ½ cup water.; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded.; 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded.; Parsley, chopped for garnish.

Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes bring together two comforting classics: garlic bread and sloppy joes. This recipe starts with a loaf of Italian bread that's generously slathered with garlic butter, then topped with a rich, savory sloppy joe mixture made from ground beef, onions, ketchup, and mustard. The final touch? A generous layer of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese that melts to perfection in the oven. The result is a cheesy, garlicky, and delicious twist on the traditional sloppy joe sandwich. Perfect for dinner, game day snacks, or a fun family meal.

Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are the perfect fusion of two beloved comfort foods—garlic bread and sloppy joes. This recipe starts with a loaf of buttery garlic bread, then tops it with a flavorful sloppy joe mixture made from ground beef, onions, ketchup, and mustard. Finally, a combination of melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses adds the perfect gooey finish. Whether you're looking for a quick dinner or a fun snack for a party, these Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are sure to be a hit!

Let's take a closer look at the key ingredients you'll need to make this delicious recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Italian Bread: 1 loaf of Italian bread forms the base of this dish. It’s slathered with garlic butter to add a rich and flavorful crust for the sloppy joe topping.
Butter and Garlic Salt: ½ cup of softened butter mixed with 1 teaspoon of garlic salt creates the garlic bread base for the dish.
Ground Beef: 1 pound of ground beef adds heartiness to the sloppy joe mixture. It’s cooked with onions to build the savory foundation of the filling.
Onions: ¼ cup of diced yellow onion provides a sweet, savory flavor that complements the beef.
Sloppy Joe Seasonings: The sloppy joe mixture is seasoned with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard, ¾ cup of ketchup, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, giving it a classic, tangy flavor.
Cheese Topping: A combination of 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese adds a creamy, cheesy finish to the dish.
Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley is used as a garnish to add a touch of color and freshness to the finished dish.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.; Slice the loaf of Italian bread lengthwise into two halves. Place both halves, cut side up, onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine ½ cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of garlic salt. Spread the garlic butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread. Set the bread aside while you prepare the sloppy joe filling.
Step 3: Cook the Sloppy Joe Filling: In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef and ¼ cup of diced yellow onion until the beef is no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.; Stir in ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard, ¾ cup of ketchup, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and ½ cup of water. Mix until the ingredients are well combined and the filling is thickened.
Step 4: Assemble and Bake: Divide the sloppy joe mixture evenly between the two halves of the garlic bread. Spread the mixture across the top of the bread.; Top the sloppy joe mixture with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.; Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish: Remove the garlic bread from the oven, cut it into pieces, and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes fresh out of the oven, cut into slices for easy sharing. Pair them with a side salad or some roasted vegetables to balance the rich, cheesy flavors.
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the slices in the oven to restore their crispiness.
This dish is also a great party food! Simply cut the garlic bread into smaller slices to serve as finger food or appetizers at your next gathering.

Helpful Notes

If you prefer a spicier version, try adding a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe mixture while it cooks.
For an extra garlicky flavor, use freshly minced garlic in the garlic butter instead of garlic salt. You can also add a pinch of Italian seasoning for a bit of herby flavor.
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses—provolone or Parmesan would make excellent additions alongside the mozzarella and cheddar.

Tips from well-known chefs

Rachael Ray: Toast the bread under the broiler for a few minutes before adding the sloppy joe mixture to give it an extra crispy texture.
Ina Garten: For a more indulgent version, brush the bread with a little olive oil before spreading the garlic butter on top—it will add depth to the flavor.
Giada De Laurentiis: Garnish the final dish with fresh basil or oregano instead of parsley for a slightly different herbal flavor profile.