Italian Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches
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These Italian Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches put a flavorful twist on the classic sloppy joe by incorporating Italian-style marinara sauce, Italian spices, and melty mozzarella cheese. To make it even better, the sandwiches are served on bread brushed with garlic butter, adding a buttery, garlicky crunch that pairs perfectly with the savory filling.
I like to use three loaves of Italian bread from Walmart, which has a slightly dense texture that holds up well to the hearty filling. French bread works great, too, if you prefer something lighter. These hearty meat sandwiches are ideal for feeding a crowd, making them perfect for game days or casual get-togethers!
When making these Italian sloppy joes for dinner, I like to prepare the meat mixture and freeze two-thirds of it for future meals. This way, pulling out a ready-made portion of the filling is super convenient when we need a quick dinner. It saves time and makes meal prep much easier on busy nights!
Ingredients to Make Italian Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches
- GROUND BEEF
- GROUND ITALIAN SAUSAGE
- ONION
- GARLIC
- TOMATO SAUCE
- TOMATO PASTE
- OREGANO
- FENNEL SEEDS
- ITALIAN SEASONINGS
- SUGAR
- SALT AND BLACK PEPPER
- CHOPPED FRESH PARSLEY
- BUTTER
- GARLIC SALT
- ITALIAN BREAD
- SICED MOZZARELLA CHEESE
How to Make Italian Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef, sausage, and onion over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease to keep the mixture from becoming too oily. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
Next, stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, fennel, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. While the meat mixture simmers, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Once the meat is done simmering, stir in fresh parsley for added flavor. Cut your loaves of bread in half lengthwise, creating a top and bottom. In a separate bowl, mix garlic salt with melted butter. On the bottom halves of the bread loaves, arrange half of the mozzarella cheese slices. Then, divide the meat mixture evenly across the loaves and top with the remaining cheese slices.
Place the tops of the bread loaves back on and brush the tops generously with the garlic butter mixture. Wrap each loaf individually in aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the sandwiches are heated through.
Remove the sandwiches from the oven and let them cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy these hearty and flavorful Italian Sloppy Joe Subs for a delicious dinner or party meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the meat mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to use it, simply thaw (if frozen), heat, and assemble the sandwiches.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While the recipe suggests using Italian or French bread, you can substitute with hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or any sturdy bread that holds up well to the filling. Just be sure it’s sturdy enough to soak up the sauce without becoming too soggy.
Can I add other ingredients to the filling?
Yes! For added flavor and texture, feel free to add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to the meat mixture. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Can I add more cheese or change the type of cheese?
Yes, feel free to add extra cheese if you like your sandwiches extra cheesy! You can also swap out the mozzarella for other cheeses like provolone, cheddar, or a combination of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Leftover sandwiches can be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the sandwich in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through and the cheese is melted. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but the bread may not stay as crispy.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Italian Sloppy Joe Sub Sandwiches
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp fennel seed
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 6 Tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 3 loaves Italian bread
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese 24 slices
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown ground beef, sausage, onion, until meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Add in garlic and saute for 1 minute.
- Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, fennel, Italian seasoning, sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes or until sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
- While meat simmers, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- When meat is finished simmering, stir in fresh parsley.
- Cut loaves of bread in half lengthwise. Stir garlic salt into melted butter.
- Arrange half of the cheese on the bottom halves of the bread loves. Top with meat mixture, dividing it evenly between the three loaves. Top meat with remaining cheese slices. Top with the bread tops and brush with the garlic butter mixture.
- Wrap each loaf in foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and sandwiches are hot. Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Let’s Dish Recipes.
