Hey there friends! Jeviko here, back with another crazy recipe mashup that I know you’re going to love. Today I’m tackling two all-American classics – sloppy joes and cheesy garlic bread – and combining them into one drool-worthy creation. Trust me when I say this recipe is about to become your new favorite comfort food.
Before we get started, here are some commonly asked questions about this recipe:
Why combine sloppy joes and garlic bread – isn’t that kind of weird?
It may seem odd at first, but the flavors pair perfectly! The savory beef and tangy tomato sauce in the sloppy joe filling takes the garlic bread to new heights.
What kind of bread should I use?
I prefer a crusty Italian loaf, but a baguette or rolls would also be delicious. The key is using a bread that can hold up to the juicy sloppy joe mixture.
Do I really need to add all those spices to the meat?
Don’t skip the spices! The addition of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika gives the meaty filling a depth of flavor that takes this recipe over the top.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the sloppy joe mixture up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the garlic bread.
What’s the best way to eat this?
With your hands! The messier the better. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.
Now that your questions have been answered, let’s talk ingredients and instructions so you can get this baby in the oven.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1⁄2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce (about 1 3/4 cups)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Cheesy Garlic Bread:
- 1 loaf crusty Italian bread, halved lengthwise
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1⁄2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions:
- Make the Sloppy Joe Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned throughout, breaking it apart as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the Garlic Bread: Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix together the softened butter and minced garlic. Spread it evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
- Top the bottom half of the bread with 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Spoon the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the cheese.
- Top with remaining 1⁄2 cup cheese and the top half of the bread. Press gently.
- Transfer to a baking sheet, garlic butter side up. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melty.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, slice and serve!
Cooking Tips:
- Leftover cooked ground beef or turkey can be used instead of raw meat for quicker prep.
- For spicier sloppy joes, add another tablespoon of chili powder or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute Monterey Jack, pepperjack or mozzarella for the cheddar for a change of pace.
- Add pickled jalapeños between the layers for a little kick.
- Let the assembled garlic bread sit for 10 mins before baking so the filling can soak into the bread.
