- 4 slices of thick white bread
- 1/4 cup (60g) butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (not salt)
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 pound (227g) lean ground beef
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup (250g) (more or less) of your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand grated
- parsley flakes to garnish (optional)
Ground Beef
Use lean ground beef and crumble it well as it cooks for an even texture. I season it simply with salt and pepper and cook it until done before draining off any excess fat. I buy my ground beef locally. It is grass fed and organic so there is very little fat on it. It is also traceable.
Salt & Black Pepper
These are your base seasonings. Add them while browning the beef so the flavour builds right from the start .
Spaghetti Sauce
This is where you can really personalize the dish. I encourage choosing a sauce you love — mushroom, vegetable, or any favourite jarred sauce all work beautifully . You can add more or less depending on how saucy you want your Sloppy Joes to be.
Italian Seasoning (Optional)
Adds a gentle herbal note and ties in nicely if you’re using an Italian‑style sauce. Stir it in with the spaghetti sauce to deepen the flavour.
You can either make your own garlic toast as per the recipe instructions or buy a good quality pre-made frozen garlic toast. I find it just as easy to make my own as I always have the ingredients in house to do so.
- Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Line a baking tray with some baking paper.
- Cream together the softened butter, garlic powder, fresh garlic and the parsley, mixing everything together well. (I just use a spoon for this.)
- Lay the bread slices on your prepared baking sheet and spread each slice generously with the garlic butter. (Spread it right to the edges. No need to butter the bottom.)
- Bake for 5 minutes. Flip the slices over and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy around the edges.
- Set aside while you make the topping.
- Brown the ground beef in a non-stick skillet, over medium high heat, breaking it up with a fork into crumbles. (I have one of those long handled silicone crumble making thingies that works very well for this. It breaks the meat up perfectly.)
- Season to taste with the salt and pepper and the Italian seasoning. Drain off any fat and discard. (You don't want your sauce to be greasy.)
- Add the spaghetti sauce. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to develop flavors and thicken.
- Preheat your oven to broil. Spoon an equal portion of sauce onto each slice of garlic toast on the paper lined baking sheet. (No need for a clean sheet. Just use the same one.)
- Grate your cheese and sprinkle evenly over top of each. (I tend to pile it up in the middle. That way it doesn't run of the sandwiches onto the baking tray.)
- Broil for several minutes until heated through and the cheese is all melty and gooey.
- Serve hot, garnished or not with parsley flakes as you choose.

Open Faced Garlic Toast Italian Sloppy Joes
A little bit sloppy, a lotta bit tasty. This is a small batch recipe. Simply double to make more.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of thick white bread
- 1/4 cup (60g) butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (not salt)
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 pound (227g) lean ground beef
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup (250g) (more or less) of your favorite brand of spaghetti sauce
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand grated
- parsley flakes to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375*F/190*C/ gas mark 5. Line a baking tray with some baking paper.
- Cream together the softened butter, garlic powder, fresh garlic and the parsley, mixing everything together well.
- Lay the bread slices on your prepared baking sheet and spread each slice generously with the garlic butter.
- Bake for 5 minutes. Flip the slices over and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy around the edges.
- Set aside while you make the topping.
- Brown the ground beef in a non-stick skillet, over medium high heat, breaking it up with a fork into crumbles.
- Season to taste with the salt and pepper and the Italian seasoning. Drain off any fat and discard.
- Add the spaghetti sauce. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to develop flavors and thicken.
- Preheat your oven to broil. Spoon an equal portion of sauce onto each slice of garlic toast on the paper lined baking sheet.
- Grate your cheese and sprinkle evenly over top of each.
- Broil for several minutes until heated through and the cheese is all melty and gooey.
- Serve hot, garnished or not with parsley flakes as you choose.
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If you think that a truly good Bolognese sauce has to be complicated, this recipe proves the opposite. After decades of trial, error, and plenty of home-cooked suppers, this is the version that finally became "the one" - simple, hearty and deeply flavorful.
This is the kind of sauce that tastes like it has been perfected over a lifetime - because it has. Whether you spoon it over pasta, tuck it into a lasagna or serve it over fluffy mash or rice, this simple Bolognese will bring everyone to the table happy.
Simple ingredients. Simple methods. Delicious food. Always.
- 18 ounces (500g) of extra lean ground beef mince (a generous pound)
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 green pepper, trimmed, seeded and finely chopped
- 3 fat cloves of garlic peeled and minced
- 1 cup (240ml) of good red wine
- 1 (14 oz/400g) tin of chopped Italian tomatoes in juice
- 2 cups (500g) carton of tomato passata
- 1 TBS tomato puree (tomato paste)
- 1 tsp good balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano flakes
- 2 tsp dried basil flakes
- 1 TBS parsley flakes
- 1 TBS sugar
- pinch ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 large bay leaf, broken in half
- the rind of one wedge of Parmesan (never throw those away!)(alternately you can use about 2 TBS of grated parmesan cheese)
- pinch of hot pepper flakes (optional)
Extra Lean Ground Beef This is the hearty backbone of the sauce, giving it richness without excess grease. The recipe begins by browning it thoroughly with the onions and garlic — a key flavour‑building step .
Olive Oil Used to soften the onions and peppers at the start, creating a savoury base for the meat and tomatoes .
Onion & Green Pepper Finely chopped, these vegetables add sweetness, depth, and a gentle earthiness. They soften into the sauce and help round out the tomato acidity .
Garlic Minced and added with the beef, garlic brings warmth and aromatic depth without overpowering the sauce .
Red Wine One of the recipe’s secrets: the wine is boiled until almost evaporated, concentrating its flavour and giving the sauce a mellow, complex base .
Chopped Italian Tomatoes These tomatoes provide bright acidity and body. Their juice helps the sauce simmer into a rich, hearty consistency .
Tomato Passata Smooth and velvety, passata deepens the tomato flavour and helps create the sauce’s signature thickness and cling. You can also use a quality tinned tomato sauce.
Tomato Purée/Paste A concentrated tomato boost that intensifies flavour and adds a touch of sweetness .
Balsamic Vinegar Just a splash adds subtle sweetness and acidity, enhancing the tomatoes and balancing the richness of the meat .
Dried Oregano, Basil & Parsley This trio of herbs brings familiar Italian warmth. They infuse the sauce as it simmers, adding layers of savoury, aromatic flavour .
Sugar A small but important addition — it softens the sharpness of the tomatoes and rounds out the sauce’s flavour profile .
Ground Cloves A signature touch: just enough to make you wonder what that elusive flavour is. It enhances the tomatoes without ever standing out on its own .
Salt & Black Pepper Essential for balancing and brightening all the flavours. Added early, then adjusted at the end for perfect seasoning .
Bay Leaf (broken in half) Adds a subtle herbal depth that develops during the long simmer. Removed before serving .
Parmesan Rind (or 2 TBS grated Parmesan) A beautiful finishing touch — the rind melts slowly into the sauce, adding savoury richness and umami. If using grated Parmesan, stir it in during the final simmer .
Hot Pepper Flakes (optional) For a gentle kick if you like a bit of heat. Completely optional but lovely for those who enjoy a touch of spice .
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. (Don't be in a rush)
- Once hot, add the onion and peppers. Cook, stirring for several minutes, until softened. (I don't like to let them brown.)
- Crumble in the ground beef and garlic. Dry scramble until the beef is no longer pink. (You can let the beef brown a bit, which will add more flavour to the sauce.)
- Pour in the wine. Bring to the boil and then boil it until the wine has almost evaporated. (This condenses the flavours and makes for a nicer sauce.)
- Add the remaining ingredients, with the exception of the Parmesan.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce to a very low simmer. (A slow bubble is fine.)
- Set a cover on top, slightly ajar. Simmer over very low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally. (If you think it is getting too thick you can thin it with a bit of beef stock if necessary.)
- Add the cheese rind, or grated Parmesan.
- Cover again and cook for another half an hour. Prior to serving discard the rind and the bay leaf. The sauce is now ready to use as you wish.

Bolognese Sauce
Just the way I've always done it. Simple. Delicious. Easy. A hearty sauce that can be used on top of spaghetti, in lasagnas and bakes, or as the my husband enjoys it, ladled over potatoes.
Ingredients
- 18 ounces (500g) of extra lean ground beef mince (a generous pound)
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 green pepper, trimmed, seeded and finely chopped
- 3 fat cloves of garlic peeled and minced
- 1 cup (240ml) of good red wine
- 1 (14 oz/400g) tin of chopped Italian tomatoes in juice
- 2 cups (500g) carton of tomato passata
- 1 TBS tomato puree (tomato paste)
- 1 tsp good balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano flakes
- 2 tsp dried basil flakes
- 1 TBS parsley flakes
- 1 TBS sugar
- pinch ground cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 large bay leaf, broken in half
- the rind of one wedge of Parmesan (never throw those away!)(alternately you can use about 2 TBS of grated parmesan cheese)
- pinch of hot pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the onion and peppers. Cook, stirring for several minutes, until softened.
- Crumble in the ground beef and garlic. Dry scramble until the beef is no longer pink.
- Pour in the wine. Bring to the boil and then boil it until the wine has almost evaporated.
- Add the remaining ingredients, with the exception of the Parmesan.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce to a very low simmer.
- Set a cover on top, slightly ajar. Simmer over very low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally. (If you think it is getting too thick you can thin it with a bit of beef stock if necessary.)
- Add the cheese rind, or grated Parmesan.
- Cover again and cook for another half an hour. Prior to serving discard the rind and the bay leaf. The sauce is now ready to use as you wish.
Notes
Any leftovers can be frozen in containers for up to six months. Just thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as needed.
Did you make this recipe?
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com


















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