Description
This Cheesy Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread recipe combines the rich, savory flavor of classic sloppy joe filling with golden, buttery garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese. It’s a hearty, comforting dish perfect for casual dinners or game day snacks, featuring a tangy, sweet-saucy ground beef mixture baked onto crispy ciabatta bread slices.
Ingredients
Scale
Garlic Bread
- 1 ciabatta loaf (split in half lengthwise)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Garlic Bread: Slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise. Spread each half evenly with the softened butter and sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and pepper over the top. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Drain excess fat to keep the mixture rich but not greasy.
- Add the Aromatics: Stir in the diced yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its fragrance.
- Make the Sauce: Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well, bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
- Assemble the Garlic Bread: Evenly spread the sloppy joe mixture over both halves of the prepared garlic bread. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese generously on top.
- Bake: Place the loaded garlic bread halves on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has melted fully and is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, slice the garlic bread into serving pieces, and enjoy hot. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor in the sloppy joe mixture.
- You can substitute ciabatta with French bread or a sturdy baguette if desired.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the sloppy joe mixture.
- Make sure to drain excess fat after cooking the beef to avoid soggy bread.
- Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based ground meat alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sloppy Joe, Garlic Bread, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Ground Beef Recipe, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Party Snack
