Can I make the sloppy joe mixture in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the meat, onions, and peppers first, then transfer to a slow cooker with the remaining sauce ingredients. Cook on low for 3-4 hours for fantastic flavor development. This is perfect for busy days when you want dinner ready when you walk in the door—just prepare the Texas toast when you're ready to eat.

My mixture seems too watery—how can I thicken it?

If your sloppy joe mixture is too thin, continue simmering uncovered for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally. For a quicker fix, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir it into the simmering mixture until it thickens to your desired consistency.

How can I make this recipe more kid-friendly?

For little ones who might be sensitive to textures, try chopping the onions and peppers very finely or even pulsing them in a food processor. You can also reduce the Worcestershire sauce slightly for a milder flavor profile, and consider using mild cheddar cheese that melts smoothly.

Can I prepare components of this meal in advance?

This is a great meal prep recipe! Make the sloppy joe mixture up to 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the mixture while you're preparing the Texas toast, and dinner will be ready in minutes.

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes Recipe

Description

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are a delicious twist on the classic comfort food, featuring hearty homemade Sloppy Joe mixture piled onto crispy, buttery Texas Toast and finished with gooey melted shredded cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, parties, or an elevated family meal, this recipe comes together quickly with simple ingredients and bursts with savory, sweet, and tangy flavors.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat Mixture

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 small Onion, finely chopped
1 green Bell Pepper, finely chopped
1 lb Ground Beef

Sauce

1 cup Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup Ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon Mustard
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Toast & Topping

8 slices Texas Toast
Shredded Cheese, for topping

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Instructions

Prep the Vegetables and Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and green bell pepper and sauté for about 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften.
Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and crumbly, about 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet to ensure the mixture isn’t too greasy.
Make the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Bake the Texas Toast: While the mixture simmers, bake the Texas Toast slices according to the package instructions until they are golden and crispy.
Assemble and Top: Once the toast is ready, use a spoon to gently press a well into the center of each slice. Evenly spoon a generous amount of the Sloppy Joe mixture into each toast well. Top with as much shredded cheese as you like.
Bake to Melt the Cheese: Return the assembled toasts to the oven and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot, garnished with extra toppings if desired.

Notes

The Sloppy Joe mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat the mixture gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if needed. Texas Toast is best enjoyed fresh, but can be reheated in a 350°F oven until warm and crispy.
Prepare the Sloppy Joe mixture up to 2 days ahead of time for quick assembly on busy nights.
Ground turkey, chicken, lentils, or meat substitutes work well for variations. Try different colored peppers for sweetness.
Add chili powder or cayenne for extra heat, or mix cheese into the sauce for more cheesiness.
Draining fatty beef helps keep the mixture from becoming too greasy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 346 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 565 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 14 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg