Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes
- Kristin Speer-Damitz
- Dec 5, 2024
- 3 min read
Jump to recipe Let me introduce you to your next weeknight obsession: Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes. Imagine the rich, tangy flavor of a classic sloppy joe nestled on top of buttery, garlicky bread topped with gooey melted cheese. Yeah, it’s as good as it sounds—and then some.
This recipe is everything you want on a chilly evening, or honestly, any time you need a dinner that feels indulgent but is super easy to whip up. It’s a delicious collision of two comfort food powerhouses, and I can guarantee your family will be fighting over the last piece.

Why You’ll Love It
Garlic Bread Glow-Up: We all know garlic bread is already a star, but stuffing it with saucy, flavorful meat and cheese takes it to a whole new level.
Minimal Effort, Major Payoff: This is one of those recipes that feels fancy but takes almost no effort. You’ll spend more time listening to everyone say, “Wow, this is amazing!” than actually cooking it.
Crowd Pleaser: Whether it’s a cozy dinner, game day, or a casual get-together, these sloppy joes are a hit every time.
How It All Comes Together
Making Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes is about combining the best parts of two iconic dishes into one. You start by making a saucy ground beef filling loaded with all the classic sloppy joe flavors—ketchup, Worcestershire, garlic, and a touch of brown sugar for that sweet-and-savory magic.
Next, you take store-bought garlic bread (or make your own if you’re feeling extra fancy), split it in half, and pile it high with the beef mixture. A generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese gets melted on top, creating the ultimate bite of cheesy, garlicky, saucy goodness.
Pro Tips for Success
Customize Your Cheese: Mozzarella is a go-to, but a sharp cheddar or provolone works beautifully too.
Get Creative with the Bread: French bread works great, but you could also try ciabatta or even sub rolls for individual servings.
Make It Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or some red pepper flakes for a little heat.
Why It’s Perfect for the Season
Right now, we’re all about cozy dinners that feel nostalgic and satisfying. Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes check all the boxes. They’re warm, hearty, and packed with flavor—basically a giant, edible hug. Plus, they’re so easy to make that you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy your evening (or binge your favorite show).
Let’s Talk Leftovers
If you somehow manage not to devour the entire batch in one sitting, the leftovers reheat like a dream. Wrap them in foil and pop them in the oven for a few minutes, and they’re just as delicious as when they were fresh out of the oven.
Ready to try them? Your taste buds (and everyone you share them with) will thank you.
Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes Recipe:
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe:
1 LB ground beef
1 C ketchup
1/4 C water
2 T brown sugar
2 t Worcestershire sauce
2 t prepared mustard
½ t garlic powder
½ t onion powder
½ t salt
1 C mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 C cheddar, shredded
Garlic Bread:
1 loaf Italian bread
½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
1-2 tsp of minced garlic
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a cast iron skillet (or nonstick skillet) over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks; drain any excess grease.
Stir in the ketchup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 15 minutes
While it simmers, prepare bread. Mix together garlic and melted butter. Cut the loaf in half horizontally, and spread melted garlic butter all over the bread. Here you have the option to pre-bake garlic bread if you desire. If you choose to, prebake garlic bread for 5-10 minutes.
Spread Sloppy Joe mixture all over garlic bread and top with shredded cheese.
Bake for about 13-14 minutes. Until the cheese is melted, but don't let the beef get too dried out.
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