Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes (Printable Version)
Buttery garlic bread topped with savory tomato-simmered beef and melted mozzarella—easy, crowd-pleasing handheld.
# What You 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 the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking up the meat, until evenly browned. Drain any excess fat as needed.
03 - Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the filling thickens. Remove from heat.
05 - Slice the baguette in half lengthwise. In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, finely minced garlic, chopped parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
06 - Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over both bread halves. Place bread cut sides up on the prepared baking sheet.
07 - Bake for 5 to 6 minutes until the bread is lightly golden. Remove from the oven.
08 - Generously spoon the sloppy joe filling onto one cut side of each bread half. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
09 - Return the bread halves to the oven and bake for 5 to 6 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10 - Place the remaining bread halves on top, press gently, and slice into individual portions. Serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crunchy garlic bread holds up so much better than a regular bun, soaking up all those saucy juices without falling apart.
- I keep coming back to this because it looks and tastes like far more effort than it really is.
02 -
- If you skip pre-toasting the bread, the filling will soak straight through and everything gets soggy fast.
- Letting the meat filling cool just a minute or two before assembly keeps the cheese from slipping off in hot ribbons.
03 -
- Use freshly grated mozzarella—it melts far creamier than bagged shreds.
- A pinch of extra smoked paprika on top before baking adds irresistible color and flavor.