If you are craving a hearty, smoky, and cheesy sandwich experience, look no further than this Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe. This dish brings together rich, savory ground beef simmered in a deliciously smoky sloppy joe sauce, all piled high on crispy garlic Texas toast with melted provolone cheese that adds a creamy, tangy finish. It’s a perfect blend of comforting flavors and satisfying textures, easily becoming a weeknight favorite or the highlight of any casual gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe starts with straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that effortlessly come together to create something truly special. Each component plays an important role, enhancing flavor, texture, or that irresistible smoky aroma.
- Ground beef (2 lbs): The juicy, savory base that soaks up all those smoky flavors and provides hearty texture.
- Sloppy joe sauce (2 cans, smoky variety): Adds that signature tangy, smoky punch; you can even customize the smokiness with a splash of liquid smoke if desired.
- Texas Toast garlic bread (2 boxes): Thick, buttery, and garlicky, perfect for holding the sloppy joe mixture and creating a crunchy contrast.
- Provolone cheese or shredded mozzarella: Melts into gooey, cheesy goodness that binds the sandwich together and elevates the flavor profile.
- Optional garlic keto toast: For those watching carbs, this low-carb alternative keeps the garlic toast spirit alive without compromising on taste.
How to Make Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef and break it apart with a spatula, letting it cook until it’s fully browned and no longer pink. Don’t forget to drain any excess fat afterward to keep your sandwich from getting greasy but still juicy.
Step 2: Mix in the Smokey Sloppy Joe Sauce
Pour your smoky-flavored sloppy joe sauce over the browned beef, stirring diligently to coat every bit. Let this mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly. This step infuses the beef with that unmistakable smokey richness that defines this recipe.
Step 3: Prepare the Texas Toast
While the beef simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay the Texas Toast garlic bread slices on a baking sheet and pop them into the oven for 5 minutes, just until they’re golden and lightly crisp on the edges. This ensures a crunchy base that won’t get soggy once the sloppy joe topping is added.
Step 4: Assemble and Melt the Cheese
Remove the toasted garlic bread from the oven, and generously spoon the smoky sloppy joe mixture onto each slice. Now layer on your choice of cheese—either shredded mozzarella or classic provolone slices work beautifully here. Slide the assembled toasts back into the oven for about 7 minutes to melt the cheese into a bubbly, savory blanket.
Step 5: Optional Low-Carb Variation
If you want to keep this comforting meal keto-friendly, swap out the Texas Toast for garlic-flavored keto bread. All the smoky, cheesy goodness remains intact, making it a versatile recipe for different dietary needs.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the cheese is perfectly melted and the edges of your garlic toast are golden brown, take the sandwiches out and get ready to indulge. The combination of smoky beef, melty cheese, and crispy garlic toast is bound to be a crowd-pleaser every time.
How to Serve Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few fresh garnishes can brighten up the hearty sandwich. Consider topping your Smokey Sloppy Joe with a handful of freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for color and a hint of freshness. Pickled jalapeños or banana peppers can add a zesty kick that complements the smoky flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
For sides, crispy sweet potato fries or a crunchy coleslaw work spectacularly with the Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe. Both options provide texture contrasts—crispy fries for a salty crunch or the creamy tang of coleslaw to cool down the savoriness of the sandwich.
Creative Ways to Present
Get creative by serving your sloppy joe mixture in bread bowls or slider buns for a party platter. Another fun idea is to turn this into a stacked melt on artisan rustic bread, giving a gourmet touch to a classic comfort food. Either way, this recipe lends itself to endless customization while keeping that irresistible smokey-cheesy core.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover Smokey Sloppy Joe mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Make sure it’s cooled completely before sealing to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess when reheated.
Freezing
This sloppy joe mixture freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it will stay good for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or microwave when you’re ready for a speedy meal.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the sloppy joe mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If you want to recreate the full experience, toast fresh garlic bread and add cheese, then broil it until bubbly and golden for that fresh-out-of-the-oven vibe.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese besides provolone or mozzarella?
Absolutely! Cheddar, pepper jack, or even a smoky gouda would all work wonderfully to add different layers of flavor to your Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe. Feel free to experiment based on your taste preferences.
How do I make the sloppy joe sauce from scratch?
If you want to make your own sauce, combine tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, a bit of brown sugar, paprika, and liquid smoke to capture that smoky depth. This can be simmered with your ground beef for a homemade twist on the classic.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes! You can substitute the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or finely chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe that still delivers robust flavor and satisfying texture.
What’s the best way to prevent the garlic toast from becoming soggy?
To avoid sogginess, make sure the Texas Toast is crisp and toasted before adding the sloppy joe mixture. Also, don’t overload the bread, and consider serving immediately after assembly to maintain that perfect crispness.
Can I prepare this recipe for a large group?
Definitely! This recipe scales up easily. Just multiply ingredients according to your guest count and use larger baking sheets for the toast. It’s a fantastic dish for game days, parties, or casual family get-togethers.
Final Thoughts
I truly encourage you to try this Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe whenever you want a delicious, comforting meal that’s easy to make yet incredibly satisfying. Its smoky, cheesy goodness combined with crispy garlic toast creates a partnership that’s hard to beat—perfect for sharing with friends, family, or simply savoring by yourself. Enjoy every bite!
Print
Smokey Sloppy Joe with Provolone and Garlic Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Smokey Sloppy Joe and Provolone sandwich recipe offers a delicious twist on the classic sloppy joe by incorporating smoky BBQ flavors and melty provolone or mozzarella cheese. Served on crispy Texas Toast garlic bread, it’s a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for a quick family dinner or casual gathering. A low-carb keto option is also provided with garlic keto toast.
Ingredients
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 & 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 thoroughly, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once fully browned, drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Mix in Sloppy Joe Sauce: Add the two cans of smoky-flavored sloppy joe sauce to the cooked ground beef. Stir well to combine and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the flavors meld and the mixture heats through evenly.
- Prepare the Texas Toast: While the meat simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the Texas Toast garlic bread on a baking sheet, then bake for about 5 minutes until the toast is slightly crispy and golden brown.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Remove the toast from the oven and spoon the smoky sloppy joe mixture generously over each slice. Top with shredded mozzarella or add a slice of provolone cheese for a creamy, melty finish.
- Melt the Cheese: Return the assembled sandwiches to the oven and bake for another 7 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly to achieve a perfect gooey texture.
- Optional Keto Version: For those following a low-carb diet, substitute the Texas Toast with garlic keto bread and assemble in the same manner.
- Serve: Take the sandwiches out of the oven and serve hot to enjoy this smoky, cheesy comfort food classic.
Notes
- You can substitute the smoky sloppy joe sauce with regular sloppy joe sauce plus a few drops of liquid smoke if desired.
- Drain the cooked ground beef well to prevent a soggy sandwich.
- Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- For extra crispiness, broil the assembled sandwiches for 1-2 minutes instead of baking at the end.
- Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
