Before you start assembling your Cheesy Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when it’s time to bake, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly and the bread to toast just right.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Prepare the Garlic Bread
Next, take your Italian bread and slice it lengthwise into two halves. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the garlic salt until well combined. Spread this garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread. The garlic butter not only adds flavor but also helps the bread toast up beautifully in the oven.
3. Cook the Sloppy Joe Beef Mixture
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and no longer pink. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
Add the garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, kosher salt, black pepper, and water to the skillet. Stir everything together until well combined, then let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. The water helps to create a saucy consistency that’s perfect for spooning over the bread.
4. Assemble the Sloppy Joes
With your garlic bread and sloppy joe mixture ready, it’s time to assemble the dish. Place the garlic bread halves on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up. Divide the sloppy joe mixture evenly between the two halves, spreading it out to cover the bread.
Now, for the cheesy goodness! Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the meat mixture, dividing it evenly between the two halves. The combination of these two cheeses creates a melty, flavorful topping that’s hard to resist.
5. Bake
Place the assembled bread halves in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and golden brown. The bread will become crisp around the edges, and the cheese will form a delicious, bubbly layer on top.
6. Garnish and Serve
Once the cheese is perfectly melted and golden, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Garnish your Cheesy Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Slice the bread into individual servings and enjoy while hot!
