Published: February 2, 2025
By: Susan Rosser
A Neat Twist on a Classic Favorite
Recently, I asked my son why he didn’t like Sloppy Joes.“They’re sloppy,” he replied. His answer, while amusingly straightforward, got me thinking. As someone who develops recipes, I genuinely enjoy cooking. But by February, after the whirlwind of holiday feasts, I’m ready for easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight meals. (For perspective, on Thanksgiving, I didn’t leave the house, barely left the kitchen, and still logged 5,902 steps – covering 2.43 miles – all within that one room.)
That’s where the Tidy Sam comes in — a delicious twist on the classic Sloppy Joe.
This version features the same savory filling, served atop garlic bread, topped with cheese and baked to perfection.
Pair it with a salad or crisp cucumber slices to round out the meal. Best of all, the Tidy Sam is versatile enough to eat by hand or with a fork and knife, offering a neat and satisfying solution.
Recipe and Photo by Susan Rosser
The Tidy Sam
Ingredients
For the Meat
1 pound ground turkey or beef
1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar (or more to taste)
A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 ounces grated cheddar,
mozzarella, or a mix
1 loaf garlic bread (store-bought
or homemade)
Sliced scallions, pickles, and pickled jalapeños for serving
For the Garlic Bread
1 loaf French bread
4-6 tablespoons softened salted butter (adjust to taste)
3-4 garlic cloves, grated
Preparation
To Make the Meat Mixture
• In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and bell pepper until softened. Add the ground turkey or beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains. Stir in the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard (if using), salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Adjust seasoning as needed. If the mixture becomes dry, add a splash of water or ketchup.
To Prepare the Garlic Bread
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Slice the French bread lengthwise into two long halves. Mix the softened butter with the grated garlic and spread evenly over the bread. Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes until lightly toasted. Remove from oven. To Assemble the Tidy Sams
• Spoon the meat mixture over the toasted garlic bread. Sprinkle generously with grated cheese. Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. (If desired, broil for 1-2 minutes for a toasted cheese topping.)
• Remove from the oven, slice into portions, and top with scallions, pickles and jalapeños.
- Serve alongside sliced cucumbers or a crisp green salad for a cool, refreshing side dish.
