Texas Toast Sloppy Joes Recipe

Ingredients

• 454 g (1 pound)ground beef
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons)unsalted butter
• 120 ml (1/2 cup)yellow onion, finely chopped
• 227 g (8 ounces)tomato sauce
• 120 ml (1/2 cup)ketchup
• 30 ml (2 tablespoons)Worcestershire sauce
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon)white vinegar
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon)yellow mustard
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon)brown sugar
• 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon)garlic powder
• 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon)onion powder
• 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon)salt
• 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon)black pepper
• 383 g (13.5 ounces), 8 slicesFive Cheese Texas Toast
• 227 g (8 ounces)mozzarella cheese, shredded (preferably freshly shredded)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven

   Heat the oven to 218°C (425°F). Line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper and set it aside.

2. 2

   Brown the beef

   Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until no pink remains.

3. 3

   Drain the fat

   Transfer the beef to a plate with a slotted spoon, then pour off the excess fat from the skillet.

4. 4

   Soften the onions

   Add the butter and chopped onion to the same skillet. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.

5. 5

   Make the sauce

   Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Return the cooked beef to the skillet and mix well.

6. 6

   Simmer the filling

   Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 7 to 8 minutes, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.

7. 7

   Bake the toast

   Arrange the frozen Five Cheese Texas Toast on the prepared tray with the cheese side facing up. Bake for 6 minutes, until it is beginning to turn golden and crisp.

8. 8

   Top each slice

   Take the tray out of the oven and spoon a little less than 1/2 cup of the sloppy joe mixture evenly onto each toast slice.

9. 9

   Add the mozzarella

   Sprinkle each slice with about 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella, lightly mounding it in the centre so it can melt over the filling without spilling.

10. 10

    Finish baking

    Return the tray to the oven and bake for a further 3 to 4 minutes, until the toast is crisp and the mozzarella has melted.

What are Texas toast sloppy joes?

Sloppy joes are an American sandwich filling of minced beef cooked in a tangy, savoury tomato sauce. This version swaps a soft bun for thick, cheesy Texas toast, turning each slice into an open-faced, crisp-edged serving.

The recipe brings together the familiar sweet-and-tangy beef mixture and a rich, cheesy base. A short final bake melts the mozzarella over the filling and helps everything hold together.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 910 calories, 49g protein, 51g carbs, 51g fat.

The beef and mozzarella supply much of the protein and fat, while the Texas toast and the sauce ingredients contribute most of the carbohydrates. For a more balanced plate, serve a slice or two with a generous portion of salad or vegetables.

Building the savoury filling

Beef first: Brown it in the skillet and break it into small pieces so it is easy to spoon over the toast. Draining excess fat before cooking the onion keeps the sauce from becoming greasy.

Sauce balance: Tomato sauce, ketchup, vinegar and mustard provide a tangy base, while brown sugar rounds it out. Worcestershire sauce and the dried seasonings add savoury depth.

Getting the toast crisp

Frozen slices: Bake the Texas toast for the first 6 minutes before adding the filling. This gives the bread a head start and helps it stay crisp beneath the saucy topping.

Room to spare: Keep the topping on each slice rather than spreading it over the tray. A slightly smaller-than-1/2-cup portion leaves space for the mozzarella without crowding the edges.

Checking the filling and cheese

Sauce cue: After simmering for 7 to 8 minutes, the sauce should cling to the beef rather than run freely in the pan. If it still looks loose, allow it to simmer for the stated time before assembling.

Cheese cue: The final 3 to 4 minutes are to melt the mozzarella and finish crisping the toast. Keep an eye on the slices so the bread does not become too dark.

Timing the two components

Skillet first: Make the beef mixture while the oven heats, then let it simmer as the flavours come together. The toast can bake during the filling's final simmer, as long as you keep track of its 6-minute first bake.

Quick finish: Once topped, the slices need only another 3 to 4 minutes in the oven. Serve promptly so the toast retains its crisp texture.

What to serve alongside

Fresh contrast: A green salad or sliced crunchy vegetables offer a fresh counterpoint to the cheesy toast and rich beef. Keep the dressing light if you want the topping to remain the main event.

Extra sides: Coleslaw, steamed green beans or corn also work well. The toast is substantial, so a modest side is often enough.

Recipe notes & tips

• Break the beef into small, even pieces as it browns so the sauce coats it uniformly.
• Drain the beef well before adding the butter and onion to the skillet.
• Let the sauce simmer until it clings to the meat so it is less likely to run off the toast.
• Keep the toast cheese-side up throughout both oven stages.
• Use freshly shredded mozzarella if you prefer, as suggested in the ingredient list.
• Serve straight from the oven for the crispest toast.

Variations

• Add heat: Stir a little chilli powder into the sauce for a spicier filling.
• Use cheddar: Swap some or all of the mozzarella for shredded cheddar.
• Add peppers: Cook finely chopped bell pepper with the onion until softened.
• Try leaner beef: Use lean ground beef and drain any rendered fat before making the sauce.
• Make it tangier: Add a little extra vinegar or mustard to the sauce to suit your taste.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the drain: Excess beef fat can make the filling greasy; drain it before sautéing the onion.
• Loose sauce: A watery filling can soak the toast; simmer until the sauce coats the beef.
• Too much topping: Overfilled slices can spill in the oven; use a little less than 1/2 cup per slice.
• Crowding the cheese: Cheese piled at the edges can melt onto the tray; mound it gently in the centre.
• Overbaking: Toast can darken quickly during the second bake; check it after 3 minutes.

How to store

Store leftover filling and toast separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the filling in a pan or microwave until hot, and warm the toast in the oven until crisp; assemble and add mozzarella for the final bake if possible.

Frequently asked questions