Let’s kick things off with the garlic bread. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice your French bread in half lengthwise so you have two long halves. If you’re using hoagie rolls, just slice them down the middle – they work perfectly for a handheld version of this recipe.

In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and salt. Stir everything together until it’s nice and smooth. If you’re feeling extra, you can add a dash of Parmesan cheese to the butter mixture for even more flavor.

Spread the garlic butter generously on the cut sides of the bread. Don’t hold back – the more garlic butter, the better! Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. You’ll know it’s ready when the butter is melted, the edges are crispy, and your kitchen smells like heaven.

Once it’s out of the oven, set the garlic bread aside to cool slightly before we start assembling our Sloppy Joes.

While the garlic bread is toasting, it’s time to make the Sloppy Joe filling. Grab a large skillet or frying pan and heat it over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook it, breaking it up with a spatula as it browns. I like to use lean ground beef so it’s not too greasy, but you can use whatever ground meat you prefer.

Once the meat is browned, drain any excess fat, and then toss in the chopped onion. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it becomes fragrant.

Next, add in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together so it’s well coated in that delicious sauce. Add about 1/4 cup of water to loosen things up and create a nice saucy texture.

Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice the sauce thickening up and becoming glossy. If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it cook for a few extra minutes. Keep tasting it as you go and adjust the seasoning to your liking – you can add a little more sugar if you like it sweeter or more Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.

Now, let’s put it all together! Take your crispy, buttery garlic bread halves and place them on a platter or cutting board. Spoon a generous amount of the Sloppy Joe mixture onto each half. Make sure to load them up – this filling is the star of the show!

If you’re a cheese lover like me, this is the perfect time to add a handful of shredded cheese on top. I like to use cheddar for its sharpness, but mozzarella gives it that lovely, gooey melt. If you want your cheese to be extra bubbly, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two until it melts and gets slightly golden.

Once the cheese is melted and the filling is all piled high, sprinkle a little fresh parsley or basil on top for color and a burst of flavor. Then, slice the garlic bread into pieces – about 3-4 servings per half, depending on how big you want your portions.