Texas Toast Sloppy Joe | Budget-Friendly Crowd Pleaser

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Texas Toast Sloppy Joe is one of those recipes that feels fun and a little indulgent, but still uses simple, real ingredients you probably already have. You get juicy seasoned meat, sweet-tangy sauce, crunchy toast, and melty cheddar all in one bite. It’s familiar comfort food, but with a fresher, more vibrant twist thanks to the onion, garlic, and bell pepper.

This is my go-to when I want something satisfying and quick that doesn’t wreck the budget. Lean ground beef (or turkey or chicken), pantry sauces, and a pack of thick-cut bread come together fast, and you’re in control of the portions and seasonings. If you’re newer to cooking, this is a great confidence booster: one pan, basic steps, big payoff. You can serve it open-faced or as a classic sandwich, and it works just as well for busy weeknights as it does for casual get-togethers.

Your New Favorite: Texas Toast Sloppy Joe

Your Ingredient Checklist

• 1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey or ground chicken)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped (or any bell pepper)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 slices Texas Toast or thick-cut bread
• Butter, for toasting the bread
• 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• Dried parsley, for garnish

The Method

1. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned and no pink remains. If there’s a lot of grease, spoon off most of it so the mixture doesn’t turn oily.
2. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic straight into the pan with the cooked meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8–10 minutes, until the vegetables soften and the onions start to look translucent.
3. Pour in the ketchup and tomato sauce, then stir in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well so everything is evenly coated. The mixture should look thick and saucy.
4. Turn the heat down to low and let the sloppy joe mixture gently simmer for 5–7 minutes. Stir now and then. It should thicken slightly but still be spoonable and moist. If it looks too dry, add a splash of water; if it’s too runny, simmer a bit longer.
5. While the meat mixture simmers, prepare the toast. Lightly butter one side of each slice of Texas Toast or thick-cut bread. This buttered side will be your crisp, golden surface.
6. To toast, either place the bread buttered-side up under the broiler and watch closely until golden, or cook buttered-side down on a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Toast until the bread is golden brown and crunchy on the outside but still soft in the middle. Repeat with all slices.
7. To add cheese, spoon a generous layer of the hot sloppy joe mixture over each piece of toast (for open-faced) or onto the bottom slice (for a sandwich). Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the hot filling, then broil for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and just starting to bubble. Don’t walk away here—cheese can go from melted to burnt fast. Finish with a light sprinkle of dried parsley.
8. Assemble however you like: keep them open-faced with a pile of cheesy meat on each toast, or top with a second slice of toast for a two-sided sandwich. Press gently so everything holds together.
9. Serve right away with coleslaw, pickles, or your favorite chips. If you want to add a fresher feel, pair with a simple side salad or sliced cucumbers for crunch.

Ground Meat Swap Ideas

Using lean ground beef is classic, but this recipe is flexible and budget-friendly with other proteins too. Ground turkey works well if you want something lighter; just know it’s a bit leaner, so you might want to add a teaspoon of oil when browning to prevent it from drying out. Ground chicken is another option and pairs nicely with the tangy sauce, though it benefits from a little extra salt and paprika for deeper flavor. You can even mix half beef and half turkey to stretch the meat and cut cost. For a plant-forward version, use cooked lentils or finely chopped mushrooms in place of part of the meat—this keeps the texture hearty while reducing the overall cost and boosting fiber.

Toasting Bread for Crunch

The bread makes a big difference here, especially when you’re loading it up with saucy filling. Texas Toast or thick-cut bread is ideal because it holds up without getting soggy too fast. For the best texture, make sure the bread is fully toasted to a deep golden color before adding the meat. If you’re using the oven, place slices on a baking sheet, buttered-side up, and broil on the middle rack so they crisp without burning on the edges. On the stovetop, a dry or lightly greased skillet over medium heat will give you great color and a sturdy base. Let the toast cool for about a minute before topping so the steam can escape; this small step helps keep the underside from turning soft too quickly under the sloppy joe mixture.

Answers to Popular Questions

Can I make Texas Toast Sloppy Joe ahead of time for meal prep?

Yes, this recipe works well for meal prep if you handle the components separately. Cook the sloppy joe mixture and let it cool before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat it gently on the stove over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if it’s too thick. Always reheat until it’s steaming hot throughout. Toast the bread and melt the cheese just before serving so you keep that crisp texture instead of ending up with soggy toast. This way, you can assemble fresh, crunchy servings in just a few minutes on busy days.

How can I lower the sodium and sugar without losing flavor?

You can easily adjust this recipe to make it a bit lighter while keeping it tasty. Use low-sodium tomato sauce and choose a reduced-sodium ketchup if you can find one. Cut the brown sugar in half to start; the natural sweetness from the ketchup and onions usually covers it. To keep the flavor bold, add a little extra chili powder, paprika, or a splash of vinegar for brightness instead of more salt. Taste the mixture after it simmers and adjust gradually—add small pinches of seasoning rather than big dumps so you stay in control of both flavor and nutrition.

Continue to Content

Texas Toast Sloppy Joe

Hearty, saucy, and cheesy, these Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are an easy, comfort-food favorite. Serve them open-faced on buttered Texas toast or as sandwiches for a messy, delicious meal that’s perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.

Pin for Later Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Equipment

• large skillet
• spatula
• griddle or broiler (optional)

Ingredients

  

Sloppy Joe Filling:

• 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey or ground chicken
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper chopped (or any bell pepper)
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

Toast & Toppings:

• 8 slices Texas Toast or thick-cut bread
• butter for toasting
• 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese grated
• dried parsley for sprinkling

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Instructions

 

• Gather all ingredients and have your skillet ready. If you plan to broil cheese, position a rack near the top of the oven.

For the Sloppy Joe Filling:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula, cooking until it’s browned and fully cooked through.
• Stir in the chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, and minced garlic. Continue cooking until the vegetables are softened, about 8–10 minutes.
• Mix in the ketchup, tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper and stir until everything is evenly combined.
• Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld.

For the Toast:

• Spread butter on one side of each slice of Texas toast or thick-cut bread.
• Toast the buttered bread either by placing the buttered side down on a preheated skillet or griddle and cooking until golden and crisp, or slide the slices under a hot broiler until toasted. Repeat with the remaining slices.
• If you want the cheese melted on the filling before assembling, spoon warm Sloppy Joe mixture onto a baking sheet or onto the toasted bread, sprinkle with grated cheddar, and broil briefly (watch closely) until the cheese melts.

To Assemble and Serve:

• Pile the sloppy joe mixture onto each toasted slice (open-faced) or stack between two slices for a traditional sandwich. Add extra cheese and a light sprinkle of dried parsley if desired.
• Serve immediately with napkins and your favorite sides like coleslaw, pickles, or chips.