Description
A delicious fusion of classic sloppy joe flavors with the comforting melt of a grilled cheese sandwich. This easy-to-make Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese combines seasoned ground beef, tangy ketchup, and melted cheddar cheese sandwiched between buttery toasted bread slices. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Sandwich Assembly
- 8 slices of bread (white, whole wheat, or sourdough)
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 8 slices of cheese (cheddar, American, or your favorite cheese)
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to avoid greasy sandwiches.
- Sauté the onions: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Prepare sloppy joe sauce: Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the beef and onion mixture. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef well. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Butter one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, place a slice of cheese, then spoon a generous amount of the sloppy joe mixture. Top with another slice of cheese and then a second bread slice, ensuring the buttered side faces outward for a golden crust.
- Grill the sandwiches: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula. Cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted inside.
- Serve: Remove from skillet and let the sandwiches rest for a minute to set. Slice in half and serve warm for a hearty, satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use any cheese that melts well for this recipe, such as mozzarella or pepper jack, to vary the flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier sandwich, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sloppy joe mixture.
- For a healthier twist, use whole wheat bread and reduce butter slightly or substitute with olive oil spread.
- Draining excess fat from the cooked beef helps prevent soggy sandwiches.
- Leftover sloppy joe mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
