A Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese sandwich combines the hearty, savory flavors of classic sloppy joe with the melty, comforting goodness of a grilled cheese. This is what you call the ultimate comfort food that the whole family will love.
This sloppy joe recipe creates a flavorful filling for the sloppy joe grilled cheese sandwich and it is easily made in minutes. This would make a great game day treat or a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
If you like cheese sandwiches check out Caprese Panini. It is great with Roasted Tomato Soup. If you like hearty ground beef recipes check out Loaded Beef Nachos and Taco Soup. They are both flavorful recipes made with ground sirloin and lots of chili powder.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW:FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- Choose a lean ground beef (about 85-90% lean) for the right balance of flavor and moisture without too much grease.
- Cheddar cheese offers a classic, sharp taste that melts well. For a smoother melt and pronounced taste try medium or sharp cheddar. Read Types of Cheddar Cheese.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- Large Skillet or Frying Pan: Needed for cooking the sloppy joe mixture. A cast iron skillet is a good one for browning the beef.
- Spatula: Useful for flipping the sandwiches while grilling.
- Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping vegetables and slicing the finished sandwiches.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: To accurately measure ingredients like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and spices.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Ground turkey or chicken are a lighter alternative to ground beef for the sloppy joe meat.
- To make this recipe gluten free, use your favorite gluten free bread instead of the white sandwich bread. For a fiber-rich option, whole wheat bread is a great choice. If you prefer a thicker, heartier sandwich, Texas Toast is a great option due to its thickness.
- Experiment with different cheeses for various flavors. American cheese melts beautifully for a creamy texture. Provolone, Swiss, or Gouda are also good choices.
- If you are out of ketchup, mix some tomato sauce with a little vinegar and sugar to approximate the tanginess and sweetness of ketchup.
- If you don’t have dijon mustard, yellow mustard is a fine substitute for a more classic taste.
- Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers can be used in place of the green pepper.
HOW TO STORE SLOPPY JOE GRILLED CHEESE:
- If you have leftovers or want to prepare the Sloppy Joe mixture ahead of time, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sloppy joe mixture can last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- It is best to store the Sloppy Joe mixture and bread separately to prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- The sloppy joe mixture freezes well. Cool it down completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 3-4 months.
- Freezing assembled sandwiches is not recommended because the bread may become soggy once thawed. Instead, freeze just the sloppy joe mixture and assemble the sandwiches fresh when you are ready to eat.
- Thaw the Sloppy Joe mixture in the refrigerator overnight if frozen.
HOW TO REHEAT SLOPPY JOE GRILLED CHEESE:
- Reheat the sloppy joe mixture in a skillet over medium heat until it is hot all the way through. You may need to add a little water or broth if it seems too thick.
- For a quick option, you can microwave the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink.
Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften , about 3 minutes.
Add the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken slightly.
Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. This will be the outside of the sandwich.
On the non-buttered side of four bread slices, place 1½ slices of cheese.
Spread ¼ of the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the cheese slices on each piece of bread. Repeat the process by adding an additional 1½ slices of cheese on top of the sloppy joe mix and another slice of bread that has been buttered on the top of the bread.
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium low heat. Place the sandwiches into the skillet, and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
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Ingredients
- SLOPPY JOE MIXTURE:
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- GRILLED CHEESE:
- 8 slices of white sandwich bread
- 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 12 slices of sharp cheddar cheese American cheese (or your favorite cheese)
Instructions
SLOPPY JOE MIXTURE:
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. If you are using very lean ground beef, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan before you add the beef.
Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften , about 3 minutes.
Add the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should thicken slightly.
Taste the sloppy joe mixture and add salt and pepper to taste.
SANDWICHES:
Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. This will be the outside of the sandwich.
On the non-buttered side of four bread slices, place 1½ slices of cheese.
Spread ¼ of the sloppy joe mixture evenly over the cheese slices.
Repeat the process by adding an additional 1½ slices of cheese on top of the sloppy joe mix and another slice of bread that has been buttered on the top of the bread.
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium low heat.
Place the sandwiches into the skillet, and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-3 minutes per side. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet.
Once cooked, remove the sandwiches from the skillet, let them sit for a minute or two (this makes them easier to cut), then slice and serve.
Serve the Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese with potato chips and dill pickles.
