Prepare the Sloppy Joe Mixture:

*   **Brown the Beef:** In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it's nicely browned (about 7-10 minutes). Drain off any excess fat.
*   **Sauté Aromatics:** Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
*   **Add Garlic:** Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
*   **Build the Sauce:** To the skillet, add the ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
*   **Simmer:** If the mixture seems too thick, stir in the 1/2 cup of water or beef broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen. For an even richer flavor, you can simmer for up to 30-40 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary (more salt, pepper, or a pinch more brown sugar for sweetness).

2. Prepare the Garlic Bread:

*   **Preheat Oven:** While the Sloppy Joe mixture is simmering, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
*   **Make Garlic Butter:** In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.
*   **Prepare Bread:**
    *   **If using a loaf:** Slice the French or Italian bread in half lengthwise, creating two long open-faced pieces.
    *   **If using Texas toast:** Lay the slices out on a baking sheet.
*   **Spread Garlic Butter:** Generously spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread loaf halves or onto each slice of Texas toast.

3. Assemble and Bake/Broil:

*   **Toast Bread (Optional First Step):** For extra crispy garlic bread, you can place the buttered bread (butter-side up) on a large baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the butter is melted and bubbly. This step isn't strictly necessary if you prefer a softer base, but highly recommended for texture.
*   **Top with Sloppy Joe Mixture:** Carefully spoon a generous amount of the warm Sloppy Joe mixture evenly over the garlic bread base(s). Spread it out towards the edges.
*   **Add Cheese:** Sprinkle the shredded cheese generously over the Sloppy Joe mixture.
*   **Bake/Broil:**
    *   **Bake Method:** Return the baking sheet to the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the Sloppy Joe mixture is heated through.
    *   **Broil Method (Faster, requires attention):** For a quicker melt and more browning on the cheese, place the baking sheet under the broiler (set to high) for 2-5 minutes. **Watch very carefully**, as the broiler can burn food quickly. You want the cheese melted and bubbly, perhaps with a few golden-brown spots.

4. Serve:

*   Once the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven.
*   Let the Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the cheese set slightly and prevents burned mouths.
*   If you used a whole loaf, slice it into individual portions