This Texas Toast Sloppy Joe recipe takes a familiar comfort food and gives it a bold, satisfying upgrade. Juicy, flavorful sloppy joe filling is piled high on thick, crispy Texas toast brushed with garlic butter, then finished with melted cheddar cheese. The result is crunchy, savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly filling—perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family meals.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is quick to prepare yet feels hearty and indulgent. The thick Texas toast holds up beautifully to the rich sloppy joe mixture, giving you the perfect balance of crisp bread and saucy filling. It uses simple pantry ingredients, feeds a crowd easily, and can be customized to suit different tastes. Best of all, it delivers big flavor without complicated steps.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Ground beef – 2 lbs
Medium onion, diced – 1
Green bell pepper, diced – 1
Garlic, minced – 3 cloves
Ketchup – 1 cup
Tomato paste – ¼ cup
Brown sugar – ¼ cup
Worcestershire sauce – 2 tablespoons
Yellow mustard – 1 tablespoon
Paprika – 1 teaspoon
Salt – ½ teaspoon
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Slices of Texas toast – 8
Unsalted butter, softened – 4 tablespoons
Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
Shredded cheddar cheese – 2 cups
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and diced green bell pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are soft. Drain off any excess fat.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly, reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While the beef mixture simmers, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the Texas toast slices on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the garlic powder. Spread the garlic butter evenly on both sides of each slice of toast.
Bake the toast for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe mixture onto each slice of toast, then sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 3–4 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot.
You can swap ground beef for ground chicken or ground turkey for a lighter option. For a spicier version, add a pinch of chili powder or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture. If you prefer extra cheesiness, mix a small amount of cheese directly into the sloppy joe filling before assembling. You can also add sautéed mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover sloppy joe meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the toast separate to prevent sogginess. Reheat the meat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until hot. Toast fresh bread and assemble just before serving for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time?
Yes, the meat mixture can be made up to two days in advance and reheated when ready to serve.
Can I freeze the sloppy joe filling?
Yes, the filling freezes well for up to 2 months in a sealed freezer-safe container.
What can I use instead of Texas toast?
Thick-cut white bread or sandwich rolls work well, but Texas toast gives the best crunch.
Can I make this recipe less sweet?
You can reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons or adjust it to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it has a mild, balanced flavor that most kids enjoy.
Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Yes, diced mushrooms, carrots, or zucchini can be added for extra nutrition.
What cheese works best besides cheddar?
Monterey Jack or a mild mozzarella can also be used.
Can I make this without an oven?
Yes, toast the bread in a skillet and melt the cheese by covering the pan briefly.
How do I keep the toast from getting soggy?
Make sure the toast is well-crisped before adding the filling and serve immediately.
Can I serve this as a sandwich instead?
Yes, you can top with another slice of toast or bread to make a closed sandwich.
Conclusion
This Texas Toast Sloppy Joe recipe is a simple yet satisfying twist on a classic favorite. With crispy garlic-buttered toast, rich and flavorful meat, and gooey melted cheese, it’s a meal that delivers comfort and bold taste in every bite. Whether for family dinner or casual entertaining, this dish is sure to become a repeat favorite.
This Texas Toast Sloppy Joe recipe transforms a classic comfort food into a hearty, indulgent meal with crispy garlic-buttered toast, rich sloppy joe filling, and melty cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for easy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 slices Texas toast
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, diced onion, and green bell pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat.
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place Texas toast slices on a baking sheet.
In a small bowl, mix softened butter and garlic powder. Spread evenly on both sides of the toast.
Bake toast for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
Spoon sloppy joe mixture onto each toast slice and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Return to the oven and bake for 3–4 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Add a pinch of chili powder or hot sauce for spice.
