Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes

Garlic bread sloppy joes are a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe, using garlic bread slices instead of buns. This version combines the savory, spiced ground beef filling with the rich, buttery crunch of garlic bread, adding extra flavor and texture to the traditional sandwich.

Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

Bread:

• 1 loaf Italian bread
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Sloppy Joe:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• ¾ cup ketchup
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup water

Topping:

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
• Parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Slice the loaf of bread lengthwise into two halves. Place both halves of the bread onto the lined baking sheet, cut side up.
3. In a small bowl, combine the butter and garlic salt. Spread the butter mixture over the cut sides of the bread. Set aside while you make the sloppy joe filling.
4. In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and onions until the beef is no longer pink (8-10 minutes). Drain grease. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper, and water, mixing until combined.
5. Divide the sloppy joe mixture between both sides of the loaves and top with the mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Cut into pieces and serve with parsley for garnish.

Variations:

1. Cheesy Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes: Sprinkle shredded cheese on the garlic bread before adding the sloppy joe mixture for a gooey, cheesy upgrade.
2. Spicy Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes: Add jalapeños or hot sauce to the ground beef mixture for a spicy kick.
3. Vegetarian Version: Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based meat alternative or a mix of lentils and vegetables for a vegetarian option.
4. Herbed Garlic Bread: Mix fresh herbs like parsley or basil into the garlic butter for added flavor.

Tips:

1. Crisp the Bread: Toast the garlic bread until it’s crispy to prevent it from becoming soggy when topped with the sloppy joe mixture.
2. Drain Excess Grease: If the ground beef releases a lot of fat, drain it before adding other ingredients to avoid a greasy filling.
3. Customize Seasonings: Adjust the spices and seasonings in the sloppy joe mixture to match your taste preferences.
4. Serve Immediately: For the best texture, assemble and serve the sloppy joes immediately after adding the filling to the garlic bread.

To store garlic bread sloppy joes:

1. Separate Components: Store the garlic bread and sloppy joe mixture separately to maintain the texture.
2. Refrigeration: Place the sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Store the garlic bread slices in a separate airtight container or wrap them well to prevent them from becoming stale.
3. Freezing: You can freeze the sloppy joe mixture in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Freeze garlic bread slices separately, ideally in a freezer-safe bag or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
4. Reheating: Reheat the sloppy joe mixture on the stove or in the microwave until hot. Toast the garlic bread slices in the oven to restore some of their crispiness before assembling.

By keeping the components separate and reheating properly, you can maintain the best quality and texture of your garlic bread sloppy joes.

The nutritional information for garlic bread sloppy joes can vary based on the specific ingredients and recipe used. However, a general estimate for one serving (1/2 of a garlic bread slice topped with sloppy joe mixture) might include:

• Calories: Approximately 350-450 kcal
• Total Fat: 20-30 grams
• Saturated Fat: 8-12 grams
• Cholesterol: 60-100 mg
• Sodium: 600-800 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 2-4 grams
• Sugars: 6-10 grams
• Protein: 15-25 grams

These values can vary significantly depending on the amount of cheese, butter, and other ingredients used. For precise nutritional information, it’s best to calculate based on the specific recipe and ingredients used.