Description
Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe sandwich, combining savory ground beef or Italian sausage with rich marinara sauce and melted cheese, all served on crispy homemade garlic bread rolls. This recipe delivers a satisfying meal in just 30 minutes, perfect for casual dinners and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Filling
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
Garlic Bread
- 4–6 sandwich rolls, halved (preferably ciabatta or Italian rolls)
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Bread: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. Spread this garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the sandwich rolls. Place the rolls buttered side up on a baking sheet and bake for 5–7 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy.
- Cook the Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. Add the finely diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, then add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Finally, stir in the shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese until melted and fully combined.
- Assemble the Sloppy Joes: Spoon the hot meat filling generously onto the bottom halves of the garlic bread rolls. Top with the remaining garlic bread halves and press lightly to serve. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture.
- Using Italian sausage will add more herbs and spices for a bolder flavor compared to plain ground beef.
- If you prefer a crispier garlic bread, broil the rolls for 1-2 minutes at the end, but watch closely to prevent burning.
- These sloppy joes are best served fresh but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the sandwich rolls with gluten-free bread of your choice.
