Gooey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Open-Faced Cheesy Sloppy Joes on Garlic Bread Recipe: Magic in Minutes

Who doesn’t love a hearty open-faced cheesy sloppy joes on garlic bread that delivers maximum flavor in every messy, delectable bite?

This classic comfort food takes a delicious twist by layering savory ground beef over crispy, garlicky bread.

Melted cheese blankets the rich, tangy meat sauce, creating an irresistible combination that screams pure indulgence.

The robust blend of spices and robust sauce brings incredible depth to this simple yet satisfying meal.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Golden, crunchy garlic bread serves as the perfect base for this mouthwatering dish.

Grab your skillet and get ready to devour a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 480 kcal

Servings: 5

Open-Faced Cheesy Sloppy Joes on Garlic Bread Ingredients

For Meat Base:
  • Ground Beef: Provides hearty protein punch, choose lean cuts for less grease and richer flavor.
  • Onion: Adds sweet depth and aromatic base, select firm and glossy onions without soft spots.
  • Garlic: Intensifies savory notes, pick plump cloves with smooth, unbruised skin.
For Sauce and Seasoning:
  • Tomato Sauce: Creates rich, tangy foundation for sloppy joe mixture, opt for smooth, deep-colored sauce.
  • Tomato Paste: Concentrates flavor and thickens sauce, look for rich, deep red color.
  • Chili Powder: Delivers warm, spicy undertone, choose freshly ground for maximum zest.
  • Ground Cumin: Introduces earthy complexity, select whole seeds ground recently for potent aroma.
  • Cinnamon: Provides subtle sweet warmth, use ground cinnamon for seamless integration.
For Bread and Cheese Topping:
  • Frozen Garlic Texas Toast: Serves as crispy, flavorful base, select brand with robust garlic profile.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds sharp, creamy finish, choose sharp variety for bold taste.

Tools for Building Cheesy Sloppy Joes

  • Large Skillet: Essential for browning ground beef and sautéing onions and garlic.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for dicing onions and mincing garlic.
  • Baking Sheet: Used for toasting frozen garlic Texas toast in the oven.
  • Cheese Grater: Helpful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.
  • Measuring Spoons: Useful for adding precise amounts of spices like chili powder and cumin.

How to Make Open-Faced Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes

  • Meat Preparation

Brown ground beef in a hot skillet, releasing delicious flavors and creating a rich base for the meal. Drain away excess grease to keep the dish light and appetizing.

  • Aromatic Foundation

Toss diced onions and garlic into the skillet, allowing them to dance and soften, infusing the meat with incredible depth and warmth.

  • Sauce Symphony

Pour in vibrant tomato sauce and paste, then sprinkle in zesty chili powder, earthy cumin, and a whisper of cinnamon. Let everything simmer and meld together, creating a mouthwatering sauce.

  • Garlic Bread Canvas

Transform frozen Texas toast into golden, crispy garlic bread by baking according to package guidance. These will serve as the perfect foundation for our sloppy joe creation.

  • Cheesy Assembly

Generously spoon the simmering meat mixture onto each slice of toasted bread. Crown the creation with a blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, letting the residual heat work its melting magic.

  • Optional Finishing Touch

For those craving extra crispy edges, slide the open-faced treats under the broiler until the cheese becomes irresistibly bubbly and slightly golden.

Flavor Variations for Cheesy Sloppy Joes

  • Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a healthier twist and diverse flavor profile.
  • Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to add a personalized kick to your sloppy joe mixture.
  • Replace Texas toast with homemade garlic bread, crusty sourdough, or whole grain slices for added texture and nutritional variety.
  • Try different cheese combinations like pepper jack, provolone, or a blend of Mexican cheeses to elevate the melty topping.
  • Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or green onions on top for a burst of color and bright, fresh flavor.

Serving Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes Hot

  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Starter: Perfect for game nights or casual gatherings, these open-faced sloppy joes transform a classic comfort food into an irresistible finger-friendly appetizer.
  • Customize Your Cheesy Delight: Top with fresh chopped parsley, sliced green onions, or a dollop of sour cream to add extra flavor and personal flair to your sloppy joe creation.
  • Family-Friendly Meal Hack: Kids and adults will love this mess-free version of traditional sloppy joes, making dinnertime fun and deliciously simple with minimal cleanup required.
  • Pair with Cool Sides: Serve alongside crisp coleslaw, pickles, or a light garden salad to balance the rich, cheesy meat topping and create a well-rounded meal experience.

Storage and Reheating of Sloppy Joe

  • Batch Prepare Meaty Mixture: Cook extra ground beef mixture and store in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months.
  • Refrigerate Wisely: Keep leftover open-faced sloppy joes in sealed containers. Consume within 2-3 days for best flavor and food safety. Separate garlic toast from meat mixture to prevent sogginess.
  • Reheat Strategically: Warm refrigerated sloppy joe mixture in microwave or skillet. Refresh toasted bread in toaster oven to maintain crispness. Add fresh cheese when reheating for melty goodness.
  • Freeze Smart: Pack unassembled components separately. Store meat mixture and garlic toast individually in freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating and assembling for a quick meal.
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Gooey Sloppy Joes Recipe

Gooey Sloppy Joes Recipe


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Cheesy sloppy joes meld classic comfort with gourmet flair on crisp garlic bread. Melted cheese, hearty beef, and zesty sauce create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
  • ½ cup (120 mL) diced onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsps tomato paste
  • 1 can (8 oz/240 mL) tomato sauce
  • ½ tbsp chili powder
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin
  • Dash of cinnamon (optional)
  • 6 slices frozen garlic Texas toast
  • ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, pulverizing into fine crumbles until no pink remains, then drain excess fat while preserving some savory beef drippings.
  2. Aromatic Enhancement: Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and release their enticing fragrance, infusing the meat with deep flavor profiles.
  3. Sauce Development: Introduce tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, and a whisper of ground cinnamon, stirring comprehensively to create a harmonious and robust sauce that will elevate the dish’s complexity.
  4. Simmering Stage: Reduce heat and allow the mixture to gently simmer, enabling the ingredients to marry and the sauce to thicken, concentrating the rich, bold flavors for approximately 6-8 minutes.
  5. Garlic Toast Preparation: While the sauce develops, transform frozen garlic Texas toast into crisp, golden perfection by baking in a preheated oven at 425°F (218°C) for 5-6 minutes, creating a crunchy foundation for the sloppy joe mixture.
  6. Assembly and Cheese Melting: Lavishly spoon the seasoned beef mixture across each toasted garlic bread slice, then blanket with shredded cheddar cheese, allowing the residual heat to coax the cheese into a luxurious, molten state.
  7. Final Flourish: Optionally, dispatch the topped toast beneath the broiler for a brief 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbling cheese crust that adds textural intrigue and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Drain Smartly: Remove excess fat from beef to prevent greasy texture, leaving just enough for rich flavor development.
  • Spice Balance: Carefully measure chili powder, cumin, and cinnamon to create depth without overwhelming the meat’s natural taste.
  • Toast Timing: Watch garlic bread closely during baking to achieve perfect golden crispness without burning edges.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Let residual heat melt cheese naturally for smooth, even coverage before optional broiling for extra golden finish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 860 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking. 

Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.

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