Can I use homemade sloppy joe sauce instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade sauce lets you control the flavors and adjust the sweetness or tang to your liking. Use your favorite recipe, and don’t be afraid to play with the seasonings.

What if I don’t have Texas toast?

No worries. Use any thick-sliced white or sourdough bread, brush it with a bit of melted butter and garlic, and toast until golden before topping.

Can I make these in advance for parties?

You can make the sloppy joe mixture ahead and even bake the Texas toast. Assemble and melt the cheese just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.

What’s the best cheese to use besides mozzarella?

Cheddar, provolone, Monterey Jack, or a pizza cheese blend work wonderfully. For extra flavor, try a layer of pepper jack or even Swiss.

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes Recipe

Description

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are a quick and satisfying twist on classic sloppy joes, featuring hearty, flavorful ground beef and sauce piled onto crispy garlic Texas toast, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family-friendly weeknight meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Beef Mixture

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
15 ounces sloppy joe sauce (or 1 batch of homemade sauce)

Bread & Cheese

6 pieces frozen Texas toast
1 cup mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F so it’s ready for toasting the bread and finishing the dish.
Cook the Beef Mixture
In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, stirring and breaking up the beef, until it is browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.
Add Sloppy Joe Sauce
Pour the sloppy joe sauce (or homemade equivalent) over the cooked beef mixture. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.
Toast the Bread
Arrange the frozen Texas toast slices on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp.
Assemble and Top
Once the bread is toasted, divide the sloppy joe mixture evenly over each slice of Texas toast. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of each.
Bake Until Cheese Melts
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

Notes

For a toasty, bubbly finish, broil the assembled toasts for 1 minute after adding the cheese instead of baking.
Add extra flavor by rubbing a clove of garlic on the bread before topping with the sloppy joe mixture.
Store leftover sloppy joe mixture separately from the toast in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
The sloppy joe mixture can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
Reheat the mixture on the stovetop and assemble with freshly toasted bread for a quick meal.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece (1/6 of recipe)
Calories: 420
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg