Texas Toast Sloppy Joes
Servings 4 - 6
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 6 Texas toasts cooked according to the package instructions
- 2 tbsp water divided
- ½ tsp + ⅛ tsp baking soda divided
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ tsp + ⅛ tsp kosher salt divided
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ½ yellow onion diced fine
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1-2 tsp brown sugar to taste
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar plus extra for seasoning
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp cornstarch
Other Ingredients:
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- Fresh parsley finely minced, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the Texas toast according to the package instructions until crisp. Side Note: Leave the oven on to melt cheese later.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of water with ½ teaspoon of baking soda and mix well.
- Prepare the beef by placing the ground beef in a bowl. Drizzle the baking soda mixture over the meat, then season with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt; mix until combined; set aside.
- Cook the onions by heating the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onion and the remaining ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda and ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes, or until very tender. Side Note: The baking soda helps break down the onion and cook it quickly.
- Add the garlic, paprika, brown sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as it cooks, for 4-5 minutes.
- Finish the sloppy joe mixture by adding the ketchup, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir until evenly combined. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, and add more vinegar or sugar, if desired.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of water with the ½ teaspoon of cornstarch until well combined.
- Add to the meat and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute, until it thickens everything up.
- Prepare the Texas toast sloppy joes by spooning some of the filling over each piece of toasted Texas toast. Top with some shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place in the oven to bake for 5 minutes, or until melted and gooey. Top with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.