Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread Sloppy Joe Melts Recipe
Delicious Homemade Cheesy Garlic Bread Sloppy Joe Melts combine savory ground beef or turkey in a rich, tangy sauce topped with gooey melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses on crispy, buttered thick-cut bread slices. Perfect for an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner, this recipe offers a satisfying blend of smoky, sweet, and cheesy flavors in an irresistible open-faced sandwich.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Sandwiches
- Method: Sautéing, Baking, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bread and Toppings
- 4 slices thick-cut bread (such as sourdough or ciabatta)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
- Cook the meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare the sloppy joe sauce: Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare bread slices: Spread a thin layer of softened butter on one side of each slice of thick-cut bread.
- Assemble the melts: Place the bread slices buttered side down on a baking sheet. Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe mixture evenly over each slice. Top with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over each.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheeses are melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Broil for crispiness (optional): For an extra crispy finish, broil on high for 1-2 minutes at the end. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a minute. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Cut each cheesy melt in half diagonally for attractive presentation and serve with pickles or potato chips on the side.
Notes
- Use ground turkey as a leaner alternative to ground beef for a healthier version.
- Smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky depth—feel free to reduce or omit if unavailable.
- Butter the bread generously for a rich, golden crust but avoid too much to keep it from becoming soggy.
- For vegetarian adaptation, substitute ground meat with seasoned lentils or mushrooms and use plant-based cheese.
- Watch closely when broiling as cheese melts quickly and can burn.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Sloppy Joe, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Melts, Ground Beef Recipe, Quick Dinner, Comfort Food, Easy Sandwich, Mozzarella, Parmesan