Description
These over-the-top Sloppy Joes take classic messy sandwiches to the next level by piling savory, saucy beef mixture onto thick slices of buttery Texas toast and melting sharp cheddar on top. The result is a crunchy-cheesy, finger-licking feast that’s perfect for weeknights or game-day grazing.
Ingredients
For the Sloppy Joe Filling
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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1 small yellow onion, finely diced
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1 green bell pepper, finely diced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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1 cup ketchup
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¼ cup water (or beef broth)
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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2 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tsp Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
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1 tsp chili powder
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½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Toast & Topping
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8 slices Texas toast (thick-cut white bread)
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2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
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1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
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Pickle slices (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the beef:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no pink remains—about 5 minutes. Drain off excess fat, leaving about 1 tsp in the pan.
2️⃣ Sauté the veggies:
Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3️⃣ Build the sauce:
Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup, water (or broth), Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4️⃣ Simmer & season:
Reduce heat to low and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
5️⃣ Prep the Texas toast:
Meanwhile, preheat your broiler (or oven to 425 °F/220 °C). Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each Texas-toast slice. Place the buttered side up on a baking sheet.
6️⃣ Assemble & melt cheese:
Spoon a generous ⅓ cup of Sloppy Joe filling onto each unbuttered side of the toast. Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the filling. Broil (or bake) 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly—watch closely to prevent burning.
7️⃣ Garnish & serve:
Remove from oven and sprinkle with sliced green onions. Serve hot, with pickle slices on the side if desired.
Notes
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Make-Ahead Filling: Cook the Sloppy Joe mixture up to 2 days ahead; reheat gently and spoon onto toast when ready.
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Spice Level: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or ½ tsp cayenne for extra heat.
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Cheese Swap: Pepper Jack or Colby-Jack melt beautifully for a different flavor.
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Bread Variations: If Texas toast isn’t available, use thick-cut sourdough or bakery Italian bread.
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Vegetarian Option: Substitute plant-based ground “beef” and use vegetable broth for a meat-free version.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min