🎉 Introduction
These Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are the ultimate comfort food mashup: thick, buttery Texas toast piled high with saucy, savory sloppy joe meat, then topped with melty cheese and broiled until golden. This easy, family-friendly recipe turns a classic childhood favorite into an irresistible open-faced sandwich that’s perfect for busy nights or game day eats! 🥄✨
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking sheet
- Measuring cups & spoons
🛒 Ingredients
🍞 Texas Toast & Meat
- 8 slices frozen Texas toast
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
🍅 Sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
🧀 Topping
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (optional)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Make the Sloppy Joe Mixture
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Drain excess grease.
Add chopped onion and bell pepper; sauté until softened, 3–4 minutes.
Step 2: Add Sauce Ingredients
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Step 3: Prepare the Texas Toast
While the meat simmers, bake frozen Texas toast slices on a baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 5 minutes, until lightly toasted but not fully browned.
Step 4: Assemble
Spoon generous amounts of the sloppy joe mixture over each toast slice.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Step 5: Broil
Set oven to broil.
Return baking sheet to oven and broil for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Step 6: Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
Servings: 4 (2 slices each)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
🥄 Variations
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat.
- Cheesy BBQ: Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce and use smoked cheddar.
- Vegetarian: Replace ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles.
- Tex-Mex: Add taco seasoning and top with pepper jack cheese.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store sloppy joe meat in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet; toast Texas bread fresh before serving.
Freezer: Freeze cooked sloppy joe mixture up to 2 months.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make my own Texas toast?
Yes—use thick-sliced bread, butter generously, and toast until golden.
Can I use ground turkey?
Absolutely—substitute for a lighter option.
Is this kid-friendly?
Yes—kids love the cheesy, saucy flavors.
Can I make it ahead?
You can prepare the meat up to 2 days in advance.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack.
How do I keep it from getting soggy?
Lightly toast bread before topping to help hold up the sauce.
Can I add veggies?
Yes—mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini blend well.
What sides go with it?
Potato wedges, coleslaw, or a green salad.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep sloppy joe filling and bread separate until serving.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes—use a larger skillet and baking sheet.
📝 Conclusion
These Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor—an easy weeknight dinner your family will devour. Turn simple pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing meal in just 30 minutes!
Texas Toast Sloppy Joes – Irresistibly Hearty Weeknight Dinner 🍞🍖🧀
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Drain excess grease.
- Add chopped onion and bell pepper; sauté until softened, 3–4 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
- While the meat simmers, bake frozen Texas toast slices on a baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 5 minutes, until lightly toasted but not fully browned.
- Spoon generous amounts of the sloppy joe mixture over each toast slice.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Set oven to broil.
- Return baking sheet to oven and broil for 2–3 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat. Cheesy BBQ: Swap ketchup for BBQ sauce and use smoked cheddar. Vegetarian: Replace ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles. Tex-Mex: Add taco seasoning and top with pepper jack cheese. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store sloppy joe meat in an airtight container up to 4 days.
Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet; toast Texas bread fresh before serving.
Freezer: Freeze cooked sloppy joe mixture up to 2 months. ❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make my own Texas toast?
Yes—use thick-sliced bread, butter generously, and toast until golden. Can I use ground turkey?
Absolutely—substitute for a lighter option. Is this kid-friendly?
Yes—kids love the cheesy, saucy flavors. Can I make it ahead?
You can prepare the meat up to 2 days in advance. What cheese works best?
Cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. How do I keep it from getting soggy?
Lightly toast bread before topping to help hold up the sauce. Can I add veggies?
Yes—mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini blend well. What sides go with it?
Potato wedges, coleslaw, or a green salad. How do I store leftovers?
Keep sloppy joe filling and bread separate until serving. Can I double the recipe?
Yes—use a larger skillet and baking sheet. 📝 Conclusion
These Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are hearty, cheesy, and packed with flavor—an easy weeknight dinner your family will devour. Turn simple pantry staples into a crowd-pleasing meal in just 30 minutes!
