Name: Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 cup diced onions; 1/2 cup diced bell peppers; 1 cup tomato sauce; 1/4 cup ketchup; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste; 8 slices of bread (white or sourdough); 4 tbsp butter; 8 slices of cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

If you're a fan of both grilled cheese sandwiches and sloppy joes, get ready for an epic flavor fusion that will take your comfort food game to the next level. Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes combine the gooey goodness of grilled cheese with the saucy, savory flavors of a classic sloppy joe. It’s crispy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying, making it the perfect dish for a family dinner, weekend lunch, or game-day meal. Intrigued? Keep reading to learn how to make this indulgent, mouth-watering recipe at home and wow everyone at the table!

What Are Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes?

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes are the ultimate mashup of two iconic American comfort foods: the grilled cheese sandwich and the sloppy joe. In this recipe, a rich and flavorful sloppy joe filling made with ground beef, onions, ketchup, and seasonings is sandwiched between two slices of buttery, golden-toasted bread with melted cheese. It’s like having a sloppy joe wrapped in a grilled cheese, giving you the best of both worlds in one delicious bite. This unique take on a classic will quickly become a favorite in your household!

Ingredients List for Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes

To make these tasty sandwiches, here’s what you’ll need:

For the Sloppy Joe Filling:

1 pound ground beef (80-85% lean)
1 small onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
½ cup beef broth or water
Salt and pepper (to taste)

For the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches:

8 slices of bread (white, sourdough, or your preferred type)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheese of your choice like American or mozzarella)
4 tablespoons butter (softened, for spreading on the bread)

Substitutions and Variations

The beauty of Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes is that you can easily customize the recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. Here are some great substitution ideas:

Ground Meat Options: If you're looking to cut down on red meat, you can swap the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat substitutes like Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger.
Cheese Choices: While cheddar cheese is classic, you can experiment with other varieties like Swiss, provolone, pepper jack, or a combination of cheeses for an extra cheesy twist.
Gluten-Free Bread: If you’re gluten-sensitive, simply use your favorite gluten-free bread for the grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also use low-carb bread options for a keto-friendly meal.
Veggie Sloppy Joes: To make this dish vegetarian, use plant-based crumbles or lentils instead of meat for the sloppy joe filling. The rest of the ingredients can stay the same.
Add Heat: If you love a bit of spice, throw in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the sloppy joe mix for a spicy kick.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling

Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula until it’s browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add the onion, bell pepper (if using), and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Make the Sauce: Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and smoked paprika. Pour in the beef broth and stir to combine. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove from Heat: Once the sloppy joe filling is thick and saucy, remove it from the heat and set it aside while you prepare the grilled cheese sandwiches.

Step 2: Assemble the Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Butter the Bread: Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. This will be the side that gets toasted in the pan.
Add Cheese: On the unbuttered side of 4 slices of bread, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese.
Add Sloppy Joe Filling: Spoon the sloppy joe mixture over the cheese on each of the 4 slices of bread. Be careful not to overfill – about ¼ to ⅓ cup per sandwich should be plenty.
Top with More Cheese: Sprinkle a little more cheese on top of the sloppy joe mixture (because you can never have too much cheese, right?).
Close the Sandwich: Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of each sandwich, buttered side up.

Step 3: Grill the Sandwiches

Heat a Skillet: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, place the assembled sandwiches onto the skillet.
Cook Until Golden: Grill each sandwich for about 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing down lightly with a spatula to help the cheese melt and the bread turn golden and crispy. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
Serve Hot: Once the sandwiches are done, remove them from the skillet, let them cool slightly, then cut them in half and serve hot.

How to Cook Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes: A Step-by-Step Guide

This recipe may seem like two dishes in one, but it’s incredibly simple when broken down:

Prepare the sloppy joe filling: Brown the meat and simmer it with the classic sloppy joe sauce ingredients.
Assemble the grilled cheese: Layer buttered bread with cheese and sloppy joe filling.
Grill to perfection: Cook the sandwiches in a skillet until crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overfilling the Sandwiches: While it's tempting to load up on the sloppy joe mixture, too much filling will cause the sandwiches to fall apart. Stick to about ¼ to ⅓ cup of filling per sandwich.
Not Using Enough Butter: Butter helps to crisp up the bread and adds that rich, golden finish. Don’t skimp on it!
Cooking on Too High Heat: Cook the sandwiches over medium heat to ensure the bread doesn’t burn before the cheese fully melts. A low-and-slow approach will give you the perfect grilled cheese texture.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes are a hearty dish that pairs well with simple sides or dipping sauces. Here’s how you can serve them:

How to Serve Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes

Serve with fries, tater tots, or potato chips for a classic diner-style meal.
A side salad or coleslaw can add a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors.
Offer pickles or jalapeños on the side for an added tang or spice.

Presentation Ideas for Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes

Slice the sandwiches diagonally for that classic grilled cheese look.
Serve with a small bowl of tomato soup or spicy ketchup for dipping.
Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a pop of color.

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joe Recipe Tips

Make Ahead: The sloppy joe mixture can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it before assembling the sandwiches.
Cheese Melting Tip: For extra gooey cheese, cover the skillet with a lid for a minute or two while grilling. This traps heat and helps the cheese melt faster.
Leftover Idea: If you have leftover sloppy joe filling, you can use it in tacos, on nachos, or as a topping for baked potatoes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use pre-made sloppy joe sauce?

Yes, you can use a store-bought sloppy joe sauce if you’re short on time. Just brown the beef and follow the rest of the recipe as directed.

What’s the best bread for this recipe?

A sturdy bread like sourdough, Texas toast, or thick-sliced white bread works best to hold up to the sloppy joe filling and cheese.

Can I make this recipe in a panini press?

Definitely! A panini press is a great way to grill these sandwiches. Just be sure to keep an eye on the sandwiches so they don’t get too flattened or overcooked.

Conclusion

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes are the perfect combination of two beloved comfort foods, offering a delicious blend of crispy, cheesy, and saucy goodness. Whether you’re craving a simple yet indulgent meal for yourself or want to impress your family with a fun dinner idea, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. Give it a try, and you’ll see why this fusion dish is a true winner!