Open Faced Garlic Toast Sloppy Joes

 

If you love easy comfort food that hits the spot every single time, these Open Faced Garlic Toast Italian Sloppy Joes are about to become a new favorite!  This simple, family-friendly recipe brings together two classics - saucy savory Sloppy Joes and crispy, buttery garlic toast - for a fun twist that delivers big on flavour with very little effort.

Each garlic toast is rich with a meaty spaghetti sauce and melty mozzarella topping, a proper delicious hot sandwich. You can stick to the original recipe or customize it with different sauces, meats or your own favourite add-ins.  Endlessly adaptable and perfectly satisfying.  Great for busy days, game nights, or whenever you are craving cozy, no-fuss comfort food!

 

I had plans to make Cowboy Beans for the weekend for Eileen and I, but because I was cutting the recipe in half, I only needed half a pound of ground beef.  I buy my ground beef frozen at a local farm. It is free range, grass fed and organic, but it also comes in one pound packages. I needed to thaw and cook the whole package. 

What to do when you only need half of the ground beef you have, but you also need to cook it all?  Sure, I could have just frozen the browned half that I didn't need immediately, but I decided to try something new with it instead. I had seen a recipe online for these open faced Italian Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, that looked really delicious. I like to try new things.  I cut the recipe in half and came up with enough topping for four sandwiches.

I also didn't need four sandwiches, so I froze half of the prepared sauce to use another time and made only two sandwiches. Just perfect.  I can add the bit I froze to more spaghetti sauce another time, or use it in a lasagna or, well, there is any number of things I can do with it.

I was really pleased with how the sandwiches came out. They were delicious! I made my own garlic toast from scratch. Its not really something I keep in the house.  I used a jar of Puttanesca sauce that I had in the larder. Mostly because it was not an overly large jar of sauce. I will just freeze the sauce I didn't use today for another purpose at a later date.

I loved the Puttanesca sauce. it was a bit drier than normal spaghetti sauce, but was loaded with lovely bits of olive and capers, chunks of tomato, etc.  which made for a very tasty sandwich. The brand I used was Favuzzi and I have to tell you it is delicious. I bought several jars a while back when they were on special. I liked that they were not overly large.

My sandwiches were not really messy, which I know . . . you expect a Sloppy Joe to be a bit messy, but that was not a problem with me, as I don't like really messy food. They were delicious however and I can highly recommend them!  These made a great supper with a tossed salad on the side!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

TO MAKE

🍔OPEN FACED GARLIC TOAST ITALIAN SLOPPY JOES🍔

There is nothing out of the ordinary here.

For the garlic toast:

• 4 slices of thick white bread
• 1/4 cup (60g) butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (not salt)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 tsp dried parsley flakes

For the topping:

• 1/2 pound (227g) lean ground beef
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup (250g) (more or less) of your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand grated
• parsley flakes to garnish (optional)

🍔NOTES ON INGREDIENTS🍔

Ground Beef

Use lean ground beef and crumble it well as it cooks for an even texture. I season it simply with salt and pepper and cook it until done before draining off any excess fat. I buy my ground beef locally. It is grass fed and organic so there is very little fat on it. It is also traceable.

 Salt & Black Pepper

These are your base seasonings. Add them while browning the beef so the flavour builds right from the start .

Spaghetti Sauce

This is where you can really personalize the dish. I encourage choosing a sauce you love — mushroom, vegetable, or any favourite jarred sauce all work beautifully . You can add more or less depending on how saucy you want your Sloppy Joes to be.

Italian Seasoning (Optional)

Adds a gentle herbal note and ties in nicely if you’re using an Italian‑style sauce. Stir it in with the spaghetti sauce to deepen the flavour.

You can either make your own garlic toast as per the recipe instructions or buy a good quality pre-made frozen garlic toast. I find it just as easy to make my own as I always have the ingredients in house to do so.

 

HOW TO MAKE 

🍔OPEN FACED GARLIC TOAST ITALIAN SLOPPY JOES🍔

You will be surprised at how really quick and easy these are to make.  By all means use a pre-made garlic toast if you wish.

To make the garlic toasts:

1. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Line a baking tray with some baking paper.
2. Cream together the softened butter, garlic powder, fresh garlic and the parsley, mixing everything together well. (I just use a spoon for this.)
3. Lay the bread slices on your prepared baking sheet and spread each slice generously with the garlic butter. (Spread it right to the edges. No need to butter the bottom.)
4. Bake for 5 minutes. Flip the slices over and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy around the edges.
5. Set aside while you make the topping.

To make the topping:

1. Brown the ground beef in a non-stick skillet, over medium high heat, breaking it up with a fork into crumbles. (I have one of those long handled silicone crumble making thingies that works very well for this. It breaks the meat up perfectly.)
2. Season to taste with the salt and pepper and the Italian seasoning. Drain off any fat and discard. (You don't want your sauce to be greasy.)
3. Add the spaghetti sauce. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to develop flavors and thicken.

To finish off:

1. Preheat your oven to broil. Spoon an equal portion of sauce onto each slice of garlic toast on the paper lined baking sheet. (No need for a clean sheet. Just use the same one.)
2. Grate your cheese and sprinkle evenly over top of each. (I tend to pile it up in the middle. That way it doesn't run of the sandwiches onto the baking tray.)
3. Broil for several minutes until heated through and the cheese is all melty and gooey.
4. Serve hot, garnished or not with parsley flakes as you choose.
5. 
   

You can serve this with a tossed salad on the side if you are having them as a main meal!

 

🍔HINTS AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS🍔 

Use a spaghetti sauce that you really love

I encourage you to use any type of sauce such as a mushroom, or spinach, etc. that suits your own tastes and family. A flavourful sauce that you enjoy makes all the difference in the world.

Try flavour boosting meat swaps

Italian sausage is a fun alternative to ground beef. It adds richness and a more Italian-inspired profile. You could also use ground turkey or chicken if that is what you prefer.

Don't be shy with add-ins

Sauteed onions, mushrooms, or whatever you enjoy can be stirred into the meat mixture for added flavour and interest. This recipe is meant to be pretty flexible and forgiving.

Keep them truly sloppy

Technically they should be dripping with sauce. The spaghetti sauce I used today was a Puttanesca sauce and a bit on the dry side, so mine were not as sloppy as they might have been otherwise. They were very delicious regardless.

Shred your own cheese from scratch

Pre-shredded cheese adds anti-caking ingredients such as cellulose (a wood by product) to keep the strands flowing and separate. This messes with the integrity of the finish. Freshly grated mozzarella melts beautifully and gives a lovely ooey-gooey finish.

Let the sauce simmer long enough to thicken

Simmering for 5 to 10 minutes helps to reduce the mixture to a consistency that will cling to the toast instead of running off.

Bake the garlic toast properly

You want your toast to be nice and crisp so that it holds the juicy topping without going soggy.

Broil briefly and watch closely

The cheese only needs a few minutes under the broiler. Don't walk away as it can burn quite easily.

🍔FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS🍔 

CAN I CUSTOMIZE THE FLAVOUR OF THESE SANDWICHES?

Yes! You can swap in any kind of spaghetti sauce you have on hand or that you enjoy. Today I used a Puttanesca sauce which was loaded with olives and capers and pinenuts. It was delicious.  You can also use Italian Sausage instead of ground beef for a more Italian inspired taste.

CAN I USE PRE-GRATED CHEESE?

Yes you can, but I strongly recommend grating your own cheese if possible.  Pre-grated cheeses contain anti-caking ingredients that affect melting quality.

DO THESE HAVE TO BE MESSY?

Part of the fun of a Sloppy Joe is the mess. A lot depends on the type of sauce you use. My sauce today created a sandwich more on the less-sloppy side. These will be eaten with a knife and fork no matter how sloppy or un-sloppy they may be.

CAN I SERVE THESE ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN GARLIC TOAST?

Feel free to spoon the filling onto hamburger or hotdog buns for a more-traditional, but very messy, sandwich.

HOW DO I GET THE CHEESE PERFECTLY MELTED?

If you pop them under the broiler for the instructed time the cheese should melt and turn golden brown in spots.

CAN I USE FROZEN PREMADE GARLIC BREAD INSTEAD OF MAKING MY OWN?

Yes, by all means if you have it and enjoy it use a premade one. Simply follow the instructions for heating and toasting on the package.

 

🍔A FEW MORE HOT SANDWICHES TO ENJOY🍔

Who doesn't love a hot sandwich for their supper every now and then?  I know I sure do! Here are a few more favorites!

SLOW COOKER BEEF DRIP SANDWICHES -  You can't beat the ease of a hot sandwich where you put the ingredients for the filling into the crockpot in the morning and let them slow cook all day until they melt in the mouth. These are delicious, with buttery toasted buns, melt in the mouth beef, which has been spiced beautifully with the juice and flavor of the pepperoncini, the sweetness of the caramelized onions and that melty cheese.  Each mouthful holds a burst of delicious flavors that I just know you will also enjoy! 

CROISSANT REUBEN SANDWICHES - There is nothing I enjoy more than a Reuben Sandwich and this juicy homemade Reuben Sandwich recipe, using flaky and buttery croissants is a real winner! Crispy flaky buttery croissants, filled with tangy crisp sauerkraut and a homemade slightly spicy dressing, hot juicy meat and oodles of melted cheese.  This is everything a good Reuben Sandwich should be. Prepare to fall in love with this fantastic hot sandwich!  Yum! Yum!

 

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Yield: makes 4 toasts (2 servings)

Author: Marie Rayner

Open Faced Garlic Toast Italian Sloppy Joes

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min

A little bit sloppy, a lotta bit tasty. This is a small batch recipe. Simply double to make more.

Ingredients

For the garlic toast:

• 4 slices of thick white bread
• 1/4 cup (60g) butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (not salt)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
• 1 tsp dried parsley flakes

For the topping:

• 1/2 pound (227g) lean ground beef
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup (250g) (more or less) of your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand grated
• parsley flakes to garnish (optional)

Instructions

To make the garlic toasts:

1. Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Line a baking tray with some baking paper.
2. Cream together the softened butter, garlic powder, fresh garlic and the parsley, mixing everything together well.
3. Lay the bread slices on your prepared baking sheet and spread each slice generously with the garlic butter.
4. Bake for 5 minutes. Flip the slices over and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy around the edges.
5. Set aside while you make the topping.

To make the topping:

1. Brown the ground beef in a non-stick skillet, over medium high heat, breaking it up with a fork into crumbles.
2. Season to taste with the salt and pepper and the Italian seasoning. Drain off any fat and discard.
3. Add the spaghetti sauce. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to develop flavors and thicken.

To finish off:

1. Preheat your oven to broil. Spoon an equal portion of sauce onto each slice of garlic toast on the paper lined baking sheet.
2. Grate your cheese and sprinkle evenly over top of each.
3. Broil for several minutes until heated through and the cheese is all melty and gooey.
4. Serve hot, garnished or not with parsley flakes as you choose.

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