Italian Sloppy Joes
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 4 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 4 servings
- Calories
- 1260
- Total Fat
- 96
- Saturated Fat
- 41
- Carbohydrates
- 38
- Dietary Fiber
- 9
- Sugar
- 17
- Protein
- 63
- Cholesterol
- 275
- Sodium
- 1568
- Total: 50 min
- Active: 30 min
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
One 28-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley, plus extra for garnish
Garlic Toast, recipe follows, for serving
Garlic Toast:
8 slices French bread
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil and the beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is well browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove the beef and drain off the fat.
- To the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and cook the peppers and onions until soft and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute or 2. Add the tomatoes, sugar, oregano and basil and bring to a simmer. Return the beef to the pan and simmer until the mixture is nice and thick, about 10 minutes. If it gets too thick, thin it with a little water. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan and parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- To serve: Spoon a nice portion of sauce over each of 4 slices of the Garlic Toast. Let the sauce cascade over the sides, then prop a second piece of Garlic Toast over to the side of each. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
Garlic Toast:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet.
- In a bowl, mix together the butter, Parmesan, oil, parsley, garlic powder, paprika and oregano until it forms a paste. Season with salt and pepper, then spread the mixture on the bread.
- Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.