Name: Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend); ½ medium yellow onion, diced; 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced; 15 ounces tomato sauce; 1 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon yellow mustard; 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; Salt and black pepper to taste; 12 slices Texas toast bread; 12 slices cheese (American or cheddar); Mayonnaise for spreading

Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese is more than just a meal; it’s a nostalgic hug on a plate, a delightful mashup of two childhood favorites that somehow tastes even better than the sum of its delicious parts. Have you ever found yourself craving the comforting, slightly sweet, savory goodness of a Sloppy Joe, but also yearning for the crispy, cheesy perfection of a grilled cheese sandwich? This recipe is your answer, a culinary dream come true for anyone who cherishes those classic, feel-good flavors. What makes the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese so utterly irresistible? It’s that incredible textural contrast – the gooey, melted cheese embracing the hearty, spiced ground beef filling, all encased between two perfectly toasted, golden-brown slices of bread. It’s the ultimate comfort food fusion, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend treat that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
½ medium yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
15 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
Salt and black pepper to taste
12 slices Texas toast bread
12 slices cheese (American or cheddar)
Mayonnaise for spreading

Making the Sloppy Joe Filling

Brown the Beef and Sauté Aromatics

The foundation of our amazing Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese is a robust and flavorful filling. We’ll start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. It’s important to break up the meat as it cooks so you don’t end up with large clumps. Once the beef is no longer pink and is nicely browned, drain off any excess grease. This step is crucial for a less greasy final product. After draining, add your finely diced yellow onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook the onion for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent. This allows the natural sweetness of the onion to develop. Then, stir in the minced fresh garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can impart a bitter flavor.

Simmering the Sloppy Joe Sauce

Now it’s time to build the signature Sloppy Joe flavor. Add the tomato sauce, ketchup, and yellow mustard to the skillet. Give everything a good stir to combine the liquids with the beef and onion mixture. Next, we’ll incorporate the beef bouillon powder, which adds a deep, savory beefy note without needing extra broth. Stir it in well until it’s fully dissolved. For a touch of sweetness that perfectly balances the tanginess of the tomato and mustard, add the brown sugar. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Remember, you can always add more salt later, but you can’t take it away, so start with a moderate amount. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for at least 20-30 minutes. This simmering time allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully and the sauce to thicken nicely. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will become.

Assembling and Grilling the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese

Preparing the Bread and Cheese

While the Sloppy Joe filling is simmering and developing its incredible flavor, we can start preparing our grilled cheese components. Take out your 12 slices of Texas toast bread. The sturdy nature of Texas toast makes it ideal for holding up to the hearty Sloppy Joe filling. On the non-buttered side of 6 of the bread slices, we will be layering our cheese. Arrange 2 slices of your chosen cheese (American or cheddar work wonderfully here, or even a blend!) on each of these 6 slices. This will create a gooey, cheesy base for our sandwiches.

Layering the Filling and Grilling the First Side

Once the Sloppy Joe filling has reached your desired consistency and flavor, it’s time to assemble. Spoon a generous amount of the Sloppy Joe mixture over the cheese on each of the 6 bread slices. Don’t be shy; you want a good, hearty portion of the filling in each sandwich. Place the remaining 6 slices of bread on top, forming 6 complete sandwiches. Now, it’s time for the grilling! Spread a thin, even layer of mayonnaise on the top side of each sandwich. Mayonnaise creates a wonderfully golden-brown crust that’s far superior to butter in my opinion, and it adds a subtle tang. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Carefully place the sandwiches, mayonnaise-side down, onto the hot skillet.

Grilling the Second Side and Achieving Perfection

Cook the sandwiches for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and toasted, and the cheese is melted and gooey. You’ll want to keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn. Use a spatula to carefully flip each sandwich. Once the first side is beautifully browned and the cheese is starting to melt, spread mayonnaise on the now-facing-up side of the sandwiches. Then, flip them over to cook the second side. Press down gently with your spatula to help ensure even cooking and good contact with the skillet. You should see the cheese starting to ooze out the sides, which is a good sign that it’s perfectly melted and ready to be enjoyed. Continue grilling until both sides are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted throughout.

Conclusion:

There you have it – a delightful and surprisingly simple recipe for the ultimate Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese! This dish takes the comfort food classic of a Sloppy Joe sandwich and elevates it with the gooey, crispy goodness of a grilled cheese. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s both satisfying and fun to make, offering a fantastic blend of savory meat, tangy sauce, and melty cheese all sandwiched between perfectly toasted bread.

For serving suggestions, I love pairing these Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese sandwiches with a side of crispy tater tots or a simple, refreshing coleslaw. A small bowl of dill pickles also cuts through the richness beautifully. Don’t be afraid to get creative with variations! You can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or even plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option. Adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika to your meat mixture can give it an extra layer of flavor, and experimenting with different cheese combinations, like adding a sharp cheddar alongside the American, can be delicious. I truly hope you enjoy making and devouring these amazing sandwiches!

Frequently Asked Questions about Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese:

Q1: Can I make the Sloppy Joe filling ahead of time?

Absolutely! The Sloppy Joe filling can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese even quicker when you’re ready to eat.

Q2: What kind of bread is best for this recipe?

While any sturdy bread will work, a good quality white bread or sourdough is excellent for this Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese. The key is a bread that can hold up to the filling and toast up nicely without falling apart.