Description
Smokey Sloppy Joe and Provolone is a comforting and flavorful sandwich that combines perfectly browned ground beef with a smoky-flavored sloppy joe sauce, layered on crispy Texas Toast garlic bread and topped with melted provolone or mozzarella cheese. This quick and easy recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal meal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. For a low-carb alternative, keto garlic bread can be used.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 2 lbs ground beef (cooked and drained)
- 2 cans sloppy joe sauce (Del Monte Smokey BBQ flavor or any smoky-flavored sauce, or add liquid smoke to regular sloppy joe sauce)
Bread and Cheese
- 2 boxes Texas Toast garlic bread with cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (or sliced provolone cheese)
Optional
- 2 slices garlic keto toast (for a low-carb option)
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned. Be sure to break it up evenly and drain any excess fat once fully cooked to keep the mixture from being greasy.
- Mix in Sloppy Joe Sauce: Add the two cans of smoky-flavored sloppy joe sauce to the cooked ground beef. Stir thoroughly to combine the flavors. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the smoky taste throughout the meat.
- Prepare the Texas Toast: While the beef mixture simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the Texas Toast garlic bread on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes, or until the bread becomes slightly crispy and golden brown.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Remove the toasted bread from the oven and spoon a generous amount of the smoky sloppy joe mixture onto each slice. Then, top each with shredded mozzarella or a slice of provolone cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the assembled sandwiches to the oven and bake for an additional 7 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and becomes bubbly.
- Optional Keto Version: For a low-carb approach, replace the Texas Toast with garlic keto toast, then follow the same assembly and melting steps.
- Serve: Once the cheese has melted, remove the sandwiches from the oven and serve hot for a cheesy, smoky, and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can enhance smokiness by adding a few drops of liquid smoke to regular sloppy joe sauce if you don’t have a smoky-flavored variety.
- Draining excess fat from the cooked ground beef helps keep the sandwiches from becoming greasy.
- Texas Toast garlic bread is recommended for its hearty texture that holds up well under the sloppy joe mixture and melted cheese.
- Substitute mozzarella with provolone cheese according to your taste preference for a slightly different cheesy flavor.
- To make this recipe keto-friendly, use garlic keto toast instead of Texas Toast.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
