This “Open-Faced Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread” is a hearty and inviting dish, beautifully presented in the image. The picture showcases several oblong portions of bread, likely halved baguettes or French bread, serving as the sturdy base for a generous piling of rich, savory ground meat mixture. Each portion is crowned with a blanket of perfectly melted, gooey cheese that has achieved a desirable golden-brown and bubbly state, promising a delightful stretchy texture with every bite. The ground meat filling appears to be a classic Sloppy Joe mixture—chunky, saucy, and deeply browned, suggesting a robust flavor profile. There are hints of a vibrant, reddish-brown sauce that coats the meat, indicating a tomato-based element. The bread itself looks lightly toasted or baked to a golden hue, providing a crisp counterpoint to the soft, warm toppings. While not explicitly visible, the term “Garlic Bread” in the implied recipe name suggests the bread base is infused with garlic and butter, which would add another layer of savory aroma and flavor to this already appealing dish. This recipe is an excellent way to elevate classic Sloppy Joes into a more substantial and visually impressive meal, perfect for a casual family dinner, a game day gathering, or a satisfying comfort food craving. The individual portions make it easy to serve and enjoy. This comprehensive recipe will guide you through preparing a flavorful sloppy joe meat mixture, transforming ordinary bread into savory garlic bread, assembling these delicious open-faced sandwiches, and baking them to cheesy, bubbly perfection.
Ingredients:
- For the Sloppy Joe Meat Mixture:
- 1 ½ pounds (680g) lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if browning lean meat)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-ounce / 425g) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce / 170g) can tomato paste
- ¼ cup (60ml) ketchup
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup (120ml) water or beef broth (adjust for desired consistency)
- For the Garlic Bread Base:
- 2 loaves (about 12-14 inches each) French bread or baguettes, sliced lengthwise
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for color)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- For the Cheese Topping:
- 2 cups (220g) shredded mozzarella cheese or an Italian blend (as seen melted and bubbly in the image)
- Optional: ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor
- Equipment:
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Baking sheet (large enough to hold all bread halves)
- Small bowl
- Pastry brush
- Spatula or spoon
Instructions:
Part 1: Prepare the Sloppy Joe Meat Mixture
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned and no pink remains. If using leaner meat or if desired, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan before browning. Drain off any excess fat.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the finely chopped yellow onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked beef. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Sauces and Seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika (if using), and dry mustard powder. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Simmer: Pour in ½ cup of water or beef broth. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more water or broth. The image suggests a thick, saucy consistency.
Part 2: Prepare the Garlic Bread Base
- Preheat Oven: While the Sloppy Joe mixture is simmering, preheat your oven to 375∘F (190∘C).
- Slice Bread: Slice the French bread or baguettes lengthwise down the middle, creating two long halves from each loaf.
- Make Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, minced garlic (or garlic powder), optional chopped fresh parsley, and salt. Mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Spread Garlic Butter: Place the bread halves, cut-side up, on a large baking sheet. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut surfaces of all the bread halves.
- Toast Bread (Optional but recommended): Bake the garlic bread in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the butter is melted and fragrant. This step helps create a sturdier base that won’t get soggy from the Sloppy Joe mixture. Remove from oven.
Part 3: Assemble and Bake the Open-Faced Sloppy Joes
- Spoon Sloppy Joe Mixture: Spoon a generous amount of the warm Sloppy Joe meat mixture over the prepared garlic bread halves, spreading it evenly to cover the surface. Be careful not to overload them too much, or they will be difficult to handle.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese (and optional grated Parmesan) generously over the top of the Sloppy Joe mixture on each bread half.
- Final Bake: Return the baking sheet with the assembled Sloppy Joe garlic bread to the oven. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. You can also use the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes to get extra browning on the cheese, but watch it very carefully to prevent burning.
- Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the tray from the oven. Let the open-faced Sloppy Joes cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps the cheese set a bit, making them easier to handle.
Part 4: Serve
- Serve Warm: Serve the “Open-Faced Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread” warm, directly from the baking sheet or transferred to a platter. They are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when the cheese is still warm and gooey.
- Serving Suggestion: These are a fantastic stand-alone meal, but they can also be served with a simple green salad, coleslaw, or a side of crispy potato chips for a complete and satisfying comfort food experience.
Tips for Success:
- Bread Choice: French bread or Italian bread works best for this recipe as it has a good crust and a soft interior that can hold the toppings. Baguettes are also excellent for smaller portions.
- Lean Ground Meat: Using lean ground beef reduces excess grease, making the sloppy joe mixture less oily. If your meat is not lean, ensure you drain the fat thoroughly after browning.
- Flavor Development: Allow the Sloppy Joe mixture to simmer for the recommended time (or even longer, up to 30 minutes) to allow the flavors to deepen and meld.
- Garlic Bread First: Toasting the garlic bread before adding the sloppy joe mixture creates a more durable base that won’t get soggy as quickly. This is an important step for texture.
- Cheese for Melt: Mozzarella or an Italian blend (which often includes mozzarella and provolone) melts beautifully and creates the classic gooey, stretchy cheese pull seen in the image.
- Don’t Overload: While it’s tempting to pile on the sloppy joe mixture, a balanced amount will ensure the bread can support the toppings without becoming difficult to eat.
- Broiler Watch: If you use the broiler to brown the cheese, stand by the oven. Cheese can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly under the broiler.
- Make Ahead Options:
- Sloppy Joe Mixture: The meat mixture can be prepared up to 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before assembling.
- Garlic Bread: You can prepare the garlic butter and spread it on the bread ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate. Toast just before assembling.
Enjoy this incredibly delicious and satisfying “Open-Faced Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread”!