Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

This Sloppy Joe grilled cheese sandwich combines two classic comfort foods into one epically messy mashup. It’ll blow your mind! 

Imagine all the flavors of a classic Sloppy Joe, but nestled between two crispy, buttery slices of bread and oozing with melted cheddar cheese. It’s like a childhood favorite got a glow-up!

The best part? This dish is so easy to make, even on a busy weeknight.

A little bit of sautéing, simmering, and grilling, and voila! You have a mouthwatering meal the whole family will love. 

Why You’ll Love This Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Ultimate Comfort Food: Combining the nostalgic flavors of Sloppy Joes and grilled cheese, this recipe is the epitome of comfort food.

Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for gatherings, this dish is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Quick and Easy: It’s simple to prepare, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or when you need a quick meal solution.

Deliciously Flavorful: The combination of savory ground beef, tangy ketchup, and melted cheddar cheese is mouthwatering.

Ingredients

• Hearty White Bread or Texas Toast: Thick-cut slices hold up to the hearty filling without getting soggy.
  
• Lean Ground Beef: The star of the show. Browned and crumbled, it provides a savory, protein-packed base.
  
• Onion, Green Bell Pepper, and Garlic: The aromatic trio. Sautéed until tender, they add depth and a subtle sweetness.
  
• Butter: It adds richness and helps create a golden-brown crust.
  
• Ketchup: It forms the foundation of the Sloppy Joe sauce.
  
• Brown Sugar: A hint of molasses-rich sweetness balances the savory elements.
  
• Worcestershire Sauce: It adds depth and a subtle tang to enhance the beefy flavor.
  
• Yellow Mustard: It complements the sweetness of the ketchup and brown sugar.
  
• Salt and Black Pepper: The essential seasoning duo enhances all the flavors and adds a subtle heat.
  
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: It melts over the filling and creates the ultimate cheesy pull.

How to Make Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Making these sandwiches is so easy!

1. Sauté the vegetables. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the onion and green pepper and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

2. Cook the ground beef. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.

3. Simmer the mixture. Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside.

4. Preheat the griddle. Preheat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Butter one side of each slice of bread.

5. Assemble the sandwich. Place one slice of bread, butter side down, on the griddle. Top with 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, followed by a generous scoop of the mixture, and then another 1/4 cup of cheese. Place a second slice of bread on top, butter side up.

6. Cook the sandwich. Cook the sandwich for 2-3 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Carefully flip and continue cooking until the second side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, another 2-3 minutes.

7. Cool and cut. Remove the sandwich to a cutting board and let cool slightly before cutting in half. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 4 sandwiches total.

8. Serve and enjoy. Serve the sandwiches immediately while hot and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Follow these tips for the ultimate sandwich experience! 

• Keep it lean and mean. Choose 85-90% lean ground beef to avoid excess grease in the mixture.
  
• Drain the fat. After browning the ground beef, drain any excess fat to prevent a greasy sandwich.
  
• Be generous! Spread a generous amount of softened butter on the outside of each bread slice for optimal browning and crispiness.
  
• Make it stick. Place cheese on the bottom and top of the filling to help “glue” the sandwich together.
  
• Try a steaming trick. If the cheese isn’t melting, cover the pan briefly to steam and melt the cheese.
  
• Experiment and have fun. Experiment with different cheeses, such as provolone, Pepper Jack, or smoked mozzarella. Add-ins like jalapeños, pickles, BBQ sauce, or even a drizzle of balsamic reduction can elevate the flavor profile.

How to Store

Here’s how to keep your sandwiches fresh to enjoy for lunches.

To Store: Refrigerate any leftover Sloppy Joe mixture in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

To Freeze: Freeze the mixture in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and assembling the grilled cheese sandwiches.

To Reheat: Reheat the mixture in a skillet over medium heat until hot, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems too thick. Assemble the grilled cheese sandwiches and cook until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.

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