Description
This Sloppy Joe Pizza combines the savory, saucy goodness of classic Sloppy Joe filling with the cheesy delight of a pizza baked on a crusty French bread base. Perfect as a hearty dinner or casual party dish, it features a flavorful ground beef mixture simmered with onions, bell peppers, and a tangy tomato sauce, all topped with sharp cheddar and baked to melty perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1/2 cup grated yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)
- 1 red bell pepper (finely chopped, about 1 pepper)
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (divided)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup ketchup (Heinz recommended)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Assembly and Baking
- 1-1/2 cups (packed) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 loaf French bread
- Finely chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Veggies: Grate the onion using the large holes of a grater to get a packed 1/2 cup, and finely dice the red bell pepper. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking later.
- Cook Veggies: In a large pan, melt 1-1/2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the grated onion, diced bell pepper, and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. Sauté the mixture until the vegetables are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Brown Beef: Push the cooked veggies to one side of the pan. Add the ground beef to the center and let it sear without stirring initially. Then crumble the beef and stir it together with the vegetables. When the beef is mostly browned through, stir in the tomato paste, beef bouillon powder, ground mustard, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Drain off any excess grease if necessary.
- Simmer: Add the crushed tomatoes, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Bread: Mix the remaining 3-1/2 tablespoons of butter with the remaining 2 teaspoons of minced garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut the French bread in half lengthwise, then cut each half in half widthwise to create 4 large pieces.
- Bake Bread: Brush a small amount of the garlic butter on the bottom side of each bread piece. Place the bread upside down on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the bread pieces over. Brush the remaining butter mixture on the inside (top) of the bread and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven, let stand briefly, then gently press the centers to make room for the meat sauce.
- Assemble: Evenly divide the beef mixture over each piece of bread. Top each with a generous amount of shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Return to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Enjoy: Slice each piece and serve immediately, garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a slightly sweeter Sloppy Joe sauce, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste.
- Lean ground beef helps reduce excess grease; drain as necessary to avoid soggy bread.
- Using freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese gives a sharper flavor and better melt compared to pre-shredded.
- The garlic butter brushed on bread adds extra flavor and helps crisp up the bread for a great texture contrast.
- Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a fresh, colorful finish.
