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.