Homemade Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza (with plant based alternatives)

 I love fun food.  Let's face it, who doesn't.  I also when you can take classic recipes and turn them into something new.  This Sloppy Joe French Bread Pizza is just that.  

You can take a few pantry staples and create a delicious homemade sauce that is WAY better than the canned stuff.  Your family is sure to enjoy it as well.  Best part this is I have included plant based substitutions for everything so that EVERYONE can enjoy!  I know you're gonna love this one.  Here is how I made it. 

TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE:

Q:  Can this be made vegan/vegetarian?

A:  Yes.  Easily so.  You can use a plant based crumble for the meat swap, BUT I really enjoy making my own with TVP (textured vegetable protein). When seasoned right it is VERY difficult to tell the difference.  Here is how I do it.

Take 1 cup of the TVP and reconstitute it with 1 cup boiling water or broth.  I like using the NOT-Beef Bullion for this because it helps give it that "beefy" flavor, but you can use vegetable broth or water.  To the water you will add 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce, 1 Tbsp dried minced onion, 1 tsp gravy master (not necessary, but gives great color and flavor), 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder, a few shakes of liquid smoke, salt and pepper to taste. mix together and let sit for 5-10 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed.  Now you are ready to use this as you would the ground beef in the recipe.  

The only other change you will need to make obviously is use vegan cheese. 

Q: Do I have to make the homemade sauce?

A:  Nope

Q:  I'm not a fan of ketchup.  Is there anything else I can use in it's place.

A:  Yes.  You can use tomato paste, tomato sauce, or BBQ sauce even.  The flavor will be a little different though.  

Q:  Do I have to add the sugar?  

A:  If you are using ketchup or bbq sauce than 100% no.  I like a sweeter sauce but you don't HAVE to.  However, if you choose to go the tomato paste or sauce route you may want to do so.  You can use any sweetener you choose really. 

Q: Will regular yellow mustard work in this recipe?

A: Yes

Q:  I thought Worcestershire had anchovies?  How can I use this in the plant based sauce? 

A:  Annie's has a vegan Worcestershire sauce and I believe the Kroger brand is anchovy free as well.

Q:  The TVP mixture with the sauce seems a little runny?

A:  Just continue to simmer with the lid off.  The sauce will reduced and thicken.