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Messy Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes Recipe

Messy Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes


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4.8 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory Italian garlic bread sloppy joes blend classic comfort with zesty Italian flair. Melted cheese, robust marinara, and seasoned beef create a mouthwatering sandwich you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
  • ½ small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
  • 4 hoagie rolls or sandwich buns
  • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet, thoroughly draining excess fat, then introduce minced garlic and sauté briefly to intensify aromatic profiles.
  2. Sauce Development: Infuse marinara sauce with tomato paste and seasonings like oregano, basil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and Worcestershire sauce, allowing mixture to simmer and develop complex flavor dimensions.
  3. Cheese Integration: Reduce heat and fold in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until completely melted and seamlessly incorporated into the meat mixture.
  4. Bread Transformation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C), slice hoagie rolls horizontally, and position cut sides upward on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Garlic Butter Enhancement: Craft luxurious garlic butter by blending melted butter with garlic powder and parsley, then lavishly brush across roll surfaces to create a golden, fragrant base.
  6. Cheese Topping and Baking: Sprinkle additional mozzarella over rolls and bake until edges turn crisp and golden, creating a crunchy, cheese-laden foundation.
  7. Final Assembly: Generously ladle prepared beef mixture onto bottom bread halves, crown with corresponding tops, and serve immediately while piping hot and irresistibly appetizing.

Notes

  • Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove excess fat completely to prevent greasy texture and ensure a clean, rich meat flavor.
  • Sauté Garlic Carefully: Brief sautéing releases maximum flavor without burning, which can create bitter undertones.
  • Balance Cheese Melting: Fold cheese slowly and gently to achieve smooth, even incorporation without creating clumpy texture.
  • Toast Bread Strategically: Watch bread edges closely during baking to achieve golden crispness without burning, which can make bread tough and bitter.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 870 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg