Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese takes two comfort food favorites and turns them into one perfect sandwich. Savory, saucy sloppy joe filling is smothered between thick slices of buttery, toasted bread and ooey gooey American cheese for a dinner that’s super easy and will become a new family favorite.
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Who doesn't love a good, classic grilled cheese recipe?! Now, you can combine it with another favorite and create another grilled cheese variation. I have a few other variations you might want to try, like my Thanksgiving Turkey Grilled Cheese, Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs, or my Turkey Cranberry Brie Grilled Cheese.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
It’s perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, they're filling enough to be a full meal in themselves, but you can serve them with a salad or soup for lunch too. This sandwich is quick and easy to make, and the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen.
Simple Ingredients
- Ground beef: The base of the sloppy joe filling.
- Onion: Adds savory flavor and texture to the meat mixture.
- Green bell pepper: Green peppers bring mild sweetness and classic sloppy joe flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds bold flavor, while garlic powder gives an extra layer of seasoning.
- Red pepper flakes: Add a touch of heat; feel free to adjust or leave them out.
- Ketchup: Creates the classic sweet and tangy sloppy joe sauce.
- Yellow mustard: Adds brightness and balances the sweetness of the ketchup.
- Worcestershire sauce: Deepens the flavor with a little savory richness.
- American cheese: Thick slices melt beautifully and give that classic grilled cheese pull.
- Butter: Softened butter helps the bread toast evenly and turn golden brown.
- Sturdy bread: Texas toast works especially well, but any thick, sturdy bread will hold up to the filling.
How to Make These Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Step 1: Add ground beef to a large skillet. Cook, breaking it up as it cooks, until fully browned.
- Step 2: Add diced onion and green peppers. Cook until soft.
- Step 3: Next, add minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant.
- Step 4: Now, pour in the ketchup, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine the mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Step 5: Butter bread slices.
- Step 6: Heat another skillet and add each slice of bread to the skillet with the butter side down. Transfer some of the sloppy joe mixture onto the bread and gently press down.
- Step 7: Add slices of American cheese on top. Place the second piece of bread on top of the cheese with the butter side up. Press gently.
- Step 8: Flip the sandwich and cook the other side until golden brown.
Recipe Tips
- Use thick, sturdy bread to keep the sandwich from getting soggy.
- Try cheddar, Colby-Jack, provolone, or pepper jack for a twist.
- Ground turkey or chicken works well as a lighter alternative.
- The sloppy joe mixture can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the mixture on the stovetop or in the microwave before assembling the sandwiches.
- Grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in a skillet to re-crisp the bread.
- You can use pre-shredded cheese, but thick deli-sliced cheese melts better and gives a creamier texture.
Recipe Faq's
Texas toast is a favorite, but sourdough, white sandwich bread, or thick-cut wheat bread all work well.
Yes! Make the sloppy joe mixture ahead of time and grill the sandwiches in batches on a griddle.
French fries, tater tots, potato chips, coleslaw, or a simple side salad all pair perfectly.
More Sandwich Recipes
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Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 cup onion diced
- ½ cup green bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 6 thick slices of American Cheese from the deli
- 4 tablespoons butter softened
- 12 slices of a sturdy bread
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet on medium high heat and add the ground beef. Cook the beef breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Add in the onions, green peppers and cook 2-3 minutes just until softened.
- Add in the minced garlic, garlic powder, salt and pepper and sauté another 30 seconds.
- Stir in the ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, and let simmer 2-3 minutes and remove from the heat.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle on medium low heat. Butter one side of your bread and place it butter side down into the skillet.
- Add the sloppy joe mixture and gently press.
- Add your cheese on top.
- Followed by the remaining buttered bread and press gently. Cook until it is golden brown then flip and cook until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve while hot!
