If you love the messy goodness of sloppy joes and the buttery crunch of garlic bread, this recipe combines the best of both worlds! These Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes are packed with seasoned ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce, then piled onto garlic-buttered bread with gooey melted mozzarella. It’s a quick, family-friendly dinner that tastes like an Italian-American classic with a fun twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes.
- Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food – Perfect for weeknights or game-day eats.
- Italian Flavor Upgrade – Garlicky bread, marinara-style filling, and melty cheese.
- Budget-Friendly – Simple pantry ingredients stretch into a hearty meal.
Ingredients
For the Meat Filling
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Garlic Bread
- 4 hoagie rolls (or French bread halves)
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Make the Garlic Butter – Mix softened butter with minced garlic and parsley. Spread evenly on cut sides of the hoagie rolls or bread halves.
- Toast the Bread – Place on a baking sheet and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove from oven.
- Cook the Meat Filling – In a skillet, heat olive oil. Sauté onion and bell pepper until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in ground beef and cook until browned.
- Add Seasonings & Sauce – Mix in Italian seasoning, tomato paste, and marinara sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Assemble – Spoon the meat mixture onto toasted garlic bread. Sprinkle generously with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Melt & Serve – Place back under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve hot!
Tips & Variations
- Make it Spicy – Use hot Italian sausage or add extra chili flakes.
- Cheese Lovers – Add provolone or fontina along with mozzarella.
- Meal Prep – Make the meat filling ahead; just reheat and assemble when ready.
- Kid-Friendly – Serve open-faced for less mess, or make smaller sliders with dinner rolls.
Serving Suggestions
These Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes pair perfectly with:
- A fresh Caesar salad 🥗
- Roasted zucchini or broccoli 🥦
- Crispy baked potato wedges 🥔
This Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes recipe is everything you love about hearty sandwiches—messy, cheesy, garlicky, and oh-so-satisfying. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun game-day treat!