Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Easy & Delicious: A fun, unique take on sloppy joes, combining garlic bread with a savory, cheesy topping.
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Less Messy: No need for buns—serve it on garlic bread for less mess and more flavor.
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Customizable: Use different cheeses or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
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Quick to Make: Ready in about 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Garlic Bread:
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1 loaf Italian bread
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1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
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1 teaspoon garlic salt
For the Sloppy Joe Mixture:
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1 pound ground beef
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1/4 cup yellow onion (chopped)
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon yellow mustard
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3/4 cup ketchup
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 cup water
For the Topping:
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1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
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1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
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Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Garlic Bread
Slice the loaf of Italian bread lengthwise and place both halves on the baking sheet, cut side up. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and garlic salt. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
3. Make the Sloppy Joe Mixture
In a skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onions over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, until the beef is browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
4. Assemble and Bake
Divide the sloppy joe mixture evenly between the bread halves. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
5. Serve
Cut into pieces and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot!
Servings and Timing
Servings: 8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 24 minutes
Total time: 29 minutes
Variations
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Air Fryer Option: Instead of baking, you can cook the garlic bread in an air fryer at 400°F for about 5 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
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Ground Turkey: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
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Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like provolone or pepper jack for a new flavor.
Storage
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Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
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Freezing: Freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for best results.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes! You can use French baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough as a substitute for Italian bread.
How can I make this more flavorful?
Feel free to add a pinch of chili flakes or hot sauce to the sloppy joe mixture for some heat.
Can I make the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sloppy joe mixture in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat before adding to the bread.
Conclusion
Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes offer a flavorful, cheesy twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich. Perfect for a quick dinner or a party appetizer, this dish combines the best of garlic bread and sloppy joes in one delicious bite. It’s easy to make and sure to be a hit!

Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe, featuring garlic buttered Italian bread topped with a savory sloppy joe mixture and melted cheese. Quick to prepare, customizable, and perfect for dinner, this recipe can even be made in the air fryer for a crispy finish.
Ingredients
-
For the Garlic Bread:
-
1 loaf Italian bread
-
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
-
1 teaspoon garlic salt
-
-
For the Sloppy Joe Mixture:
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1 pound ground beef
-
1/4 cup yellow onion (chopped)
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
-
3/4 cup ketchup
-
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
-
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1/2 cup water
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For the Topping:
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1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
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1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
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- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
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Preheat the Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. -
Prepare the Garlic Bread:
Slice the loaf of Italian bread lengthwise and place both halves on the baking sheet, cut side up. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and garlic salt. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. -
Make the Sloppy Joe Mixture:
In a skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onions over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes, until the beef is browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, salt, pepper, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. -
Assemble and Bake:
Divide the sloppy joe mixture evenly between the bread halves. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake for 12-14 minutes until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. -
Serve:
Cut into pieces and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot!
Notes
Air Fryer Option: Instead of baking, you can cook the garlic bread in an air fryer at 400°F for about 5 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is melted.Ground Turkey: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like provolone or pepper jack for a new flavor.Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes or hot sauce to the sloppy joe mixture for some heat.