Ingredients:
- For the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup water
- For the Texas Toast:
- 8 slices of thick Texas toast (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional)
- Toppings (Optional):
- Shredded cheddar or American cheese
- Pickles
- Coleslaw
- Jalapeños for a spicy kick
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling:
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Break it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Veggies: Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet with the ground beef. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and water. Mix well until everything is combined.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Prepare the Texas Toast:
- Butter the Bread: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic powder and parsley (if using). Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly on both sides of each slice of Texas toast.
- Toast the Bread: Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy on both sides. For extra crispiness, you can broil the toast for 1-2 minutes at the end, but keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
3. Assemble the Texas Toast Sloppy Joes:
- Add the Sloppy Joe Filling: Once the Texas toast is crispy and the filling is ready, spoon a generous amount of sloppy joe mixture onto one slice of toast.
- Top It Off: If desired, sprinkle some shredded cheese over the filling and allow it to melt slightly. You can also add any other toppings like pickles, jalapeños, or coleslaw.
- Finish with Another Slice: Top with another piece of Texas toast to create a sandwich, or serve it open-faced with a single slice.
Tips for the Best Texas Toast Sloppy Joes:
- Extra Crispy Toast: For the ultimate crispiness, pan-fry the Texas toast in a skillet with butter instead of baking it, flipping until golden on both sides.
- Cheesy Upgrade: Turn it into a sloppy joe melt by adding slices of cheese between the toast and filling. Pop the assembled sandwiches under the broiler for a minute or two to melt the cheese.
- Spice it Up: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe filling for a spicier version.
- Make it Messy (or Less Messy): The thicker the Texas toast, the better it will hold the filling. But if you like it extra saucy, just load up and embrace the messiness!
- Serving Suggestions: Serve with crispy fries, potato chips, or a fresh green salad for a full meal.
Enjoy these indulgent, saucy, and crispy Texas Toast Sloppy Joes with all your favorite toppings!