Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread
This Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread combines savory sloppy joe filling over crisp, garlicky bread and gooey melted cheese, creating a flavorful and comforting dish perfect for weeknights or game days.
Ingredients
For the Base
- 1 large loaf French bread or 2 baguettes, halved lengthwise
For the Sloppy Joe Filling
- 1 lb ground beef 85/15 recommended
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce or Sloppy Joe sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Garlic Butter & Topping
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese optional, for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the loaf lengthwise and place the halves cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Mix the softened butter with minced garlic and half of the chopped parsley until combined; spread evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
Cooking the Filling
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Add the finely diced onion, diced green pepper, and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, chili powder (if using), salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5–6 minutes until thickened.
Assembling
- Spoon the thickened Sloppy Joe mixture evenly over the buttered bread halves. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top and add Parmesan if using.
Baking
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes for a golden top, watching closely.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with remaining parsley, slice into portions, and serve warm.
Notes
This dish can be served as a main course, party appetizer, or spooned into buns for handheld sandwiches. Use room-temperature butter for even spreading.