Save
Garlicky, cheesy sloppy Joe toast flips the usual into something even better—crispy golden toast loaded up with saucy beef, sharp cheese, and tangy flavors. You’ll want to grab these melty open sandwiches with your hands, and trust me, nobody’s too grown up for that. Whip them up for a fast weeknight dinner or pass them around on game night with everyone grabbing seconds.
I first put these together on a cold evening, and the family just kept asking for more. Now it’s something we make all the time because it’s comforting but honestly doesn’t take much work at all.
Tasty Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded melts best and gives that sharp, rich flavor
- Frozen garlic toast: Crisps up nicely and packs in lots of buttery garlic flavor check the box for visible herbs and butter for max taste
- Ketchup: Adds pop and a hint of sweet I always reach for the classic
- Garlic powder: Warm and savory just make sure yours isn't lumpy
- Onion powder: Boosts that oniony taste without being too much
- Worcestershire sauce: A must for big savory umami flavor buy a decent one—it matters
- Brown sugar: Just a bit balances out the tang double check it's soft and not dried out
- Mustard: Bright and zippy yellow works well for some kick
- Tomato sauce: Makes the filling saucy and a little tangy keep it simple
- Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and balances the richness pick one that’s solid and weighty
- Ground beef: Go 80 to 85 percent lean so it stays juicy but not greasy
Easy Directions
- Serve While Warm
- Take them out of the oven and give it a minute or two so nobody gets burned dive in while the cheese is still nice and stretchy and the toast stays crunchy
- Top and Finish in the Oven
- Pile the hot beef mix onto each piece then throw on a healthy shower of shredded cheddar slide the tray in a 400 degree oven for ten to fifteen minutes you’ll know they’re done when everything’s golden and bubbly
- Get the Toast Ready
- While the filling simmers, set your garlic toasts on a big pan make sure there's room so they get crispy all over
- Simmer Up the Sauce
- Drop the skillet back on the stove blend in tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, mustard, brown sugar, and both powders stir together and let it bubble gently five to eight minutes let it thicken up and smell amazing
- Brown the Beef With Onion
- Heat a big pan medium high toss in diced onion and ground beef break it all up with a spoon keep it moving until there’s no pink left—about eight minutes don’t forget to drain off the extra fat before going on
Save
The best bit is definitely the crispy cheesy edges that form on the bread. The first time my kids helped with these, half the cheese disappeared before we even put them in the oven.
Keeping and Reheating
Stick leftover beef mix in a sealed container—it'll stay good in the fridge for three days. Let the garlic toast cool completely before wrapping in foil or a plastic bag to help it keep that crunch. Toast them up again in your toaster oven to get them crisp like fresh.
Swaps and Options
Try ground turkey or chicken if you want to go lighter. Got bakery garlic bread or homemade? That works in place of the frozen stuff. If you switch up the cheese, Monterey Jack or mozzarella are both good for extra stretch or less sharpness.
Save
How to Serve
These are awesome alone or next to some green salad or steamed veggies. Sometimes I add pickles and extra ketchup for dipping. If you’re putting them out for a crowd, slice each piece into triangles and serve up as hearty snacks everyone can grab.
Background Tidbit
Sloppy Joes have filled many a lunchbox and family table in the US since the 1930s. Swapping the usual burger bun for garlicky toast borrows from Italian American vibes, making this familiar but with a cool twist.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use homemade garlic bread?
Definitely—freshly made garlic bread can make the dish even more delicious and texturally interesting.
- → What type of cheese works best?
Cheddar is ideal, but mozzarella or a combo of cheeses can make it extra gooey and flavorful.
- → How can I store leftovers?
The beef topping stays fresh in the fridge for three days. Reheat and serve over fresh toast for best results.
- → Could I make these vegetarian?
You can swap the beef for cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles for a tasty vegetarian twist.
- → How do I prevent the cheese from over-browning?
If the cheese browns too fast, loosely cover the slices with foil while baking to avoid burning.