Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Texas Toast Sloppy Joes are a fusion of two classic American comfort foods: Texas Toast and Sloppy Joes. This innovative dish combines the thick, buttery slices of Texas Toast with the rich, savory flavors of traditional Sloppy Joes, resulting in a hearty and satisfying meal.

Texas Toast traces its roots back to the Lone Star State, where it was first created in the 1940s at the Pig Stand restaurant in Beaumont, Texas. The story goes that a bakery mistakenly cut the bread slices too thick, but instead of wasting them, the cooks at the Pig Stand decided to butter and grill the oversized slices. The result was a delicious, crispy, and buttery toast that quickly became popular.

Sloppy Joes, on the other hand, have a somewhat murkier history. The concept of loose meat sandwiches dates back to the early 20th century, with various regional variations popping up across the United States. The modern Sloppy Joe is believed to have been popularized in the 1930s, possibly originating from a bar in Sioux City, Iowa, where a cook named Joe combined ground beef with a tangy tomato sauce and served it on a bun.

The marriage of Texas Toast and Sloppy Joes likely emerged from the desire to elevate the traditional Sloppy Joe experience. The thick, crispy Texas Toast provides a sturdy and flavorful base that complements the saucy, meaty filling of the Sloppy Joes. This combination offers a delightful contrast of textures and a robust taste that has earned it a place in American cuisine.

• Copycat Arby’s Roast Beef Sandwich

How to Prepare Texas Toast Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joe filling:

1 pound ground beef

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a bit of heat)

For the Texas Toast:

8 slices of thick-cut white bread (Texas Toast bread, if available)

4 tablespoons butter, softened

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Procedure

Prepare the Sloppy Joe filling:

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Break it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Drain excess fat from the skillet, leaving a small amount to cook the vegetables.

Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili powder (if using). Mix well to combine.

Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

Prepare the Texas Toast:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the minced garlic.

Spread the garlic butter evenly on one side of each slice of bread.

Place the bread slices, buttered side up, on a baking sheet.

Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top of the buttered bread slices (if using).

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.

Assemble the Texas Toast Sloppy Joes:

Spoon the Sloppy Joe filling generously onto half of the toasted bread slices.

Top each with another slice of Texas Toast to create a sandwich.

Garnish with chopped parsley (if using) and serve immediately.

Preparation Time

Sloppy Joe filling preparation: 20-25 minutes

Texas Toast preparation: 10-12 minutes

Assembly: 2-3 minutes

Total preparation time: Approximately 35-40 minutes