🍞 Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes 🧀

Savor the comfort of homemade sloppy joes with a delightful Italian twist. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a quick meal after a busy day!

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 loaf Italian bread
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ cup water
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- Parsley, chopped for garnish

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the Italian bread loaf lengthwise into two halves and place them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
3. In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with garlic salt and spread evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
4. In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onions until the beef is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
5. Stir in garlic powder, yellow mustard, ketchup, kosher salt, black pepper, and water into the skillet with the beef. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
6. Evenly distribute the sloppy joe mixture over both bread halves. Sprinkle the tops with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
8. Remove from oven, slice, and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎
- Calories: 460 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 26g
- Fat: 22g

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef, and use low-fat cheeses.
- Add a dash of Italian seasoning to the sloppy joe mixture for an extra flavor boost.
- To keep the bread from getting soggy, toast the buttered halves in the oven for a few minutes before adding the meat.

⏳ Preparation Time 🕒
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
- Serving: Serves 4