Name: Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup ketchup; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon yellow mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 8 slices sandwich bread; 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 2 tablespoons butter, softened

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If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food mashup, look no further: Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes bring together the best of both worlds with rich, saucy beef sandwiched between layers of gooey cheddar and perfectly crisp bread. Imagine all the nostalgia of a childhood sloppy joe, wrapped in the irresistible warmth of a grilled cheese—it’s hearty, melty, and guaranteed to be the hero on any busy weeknight or easy entertaining menu. Whether you’re feeding your family or just craving an epic sandwich that hits every craving at once, you’ll love how easily these come together and how much flavor each bite delivers!

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes is all about simple, everyday ingredients coming together in a way that feels anything but ordinary. Each element—from the savory beef to the buttery bread—adds its own character, so it’s worth using the best you’ve got for a sandwich that truly sings!

Ground beef (1 pound): Go for 80/20 for extra juiciness in the filling.
Yellow onion (1 small, diced): Sweetens and rounds out every savory bite.
Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Adds a bold, aromatic punch that deepens the sauce.
Ketchup (1/2 cup): This classic ingredient brings tang, sweetness, and that signature sloppy joe flavor.
Tomato paste (1 tablespoon): Intensifies the tomato flavor for a richer, thicker sauce.
Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon): A splash of this amps up umami and gives your filling that craveable depth.
Yellow mustard (1 teaspoon): Adds zippy acidity to balance all the richness.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for bringing out every flavor in the mix.
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough heat to keep your tastebuds interested.
Sandwich bread (8 slices): Use sturdy, classic white or your favorite bread for crispness.
Shredded cheddar cheese (1 1/2 cups): For maximum meltiness, grate it fresh if possible.
Butter (2 tablespoons, softened): Slathered on every slice for a golden, crunchy exterior.

How to Make Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Onion

Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat, then add your ground beef and diced onion. Sauté everything together, stirring often, until the beef loses all its pink and the onion is translucent—about 6 to 8 minutes. Take a moment to drain any excess grease, ensuring your filling is flavorful without being heavy.

Step 2: Add Aromatics

Mix in the minced garlic and let it cook for just 30 seconds. This quick step allows the garlic’s flavor to bloom, infusing the beef and onion with its unmistakable aroma, but not giving it time to burn or turn bitter.

Step 3: Simmer the Sauce

Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Use your spoon to really blend the sauces and seasonings into the meat. Let the mixture simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until it thickens up slightly and the flavors harmonize. Remove from heat—your sloppy joe filling is ready for sandwich greatness!

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwiches

Grab your bread slices and spread a generous layer of softened butter on one side of each. On a flat surface, lay out 4 slices, butter-side down. Top each with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar, then a generous scoop of the warm sloppy joe mixture, followed by more cheese. Cap each sandwich with the remaining slices of bread, butter-side up—get ready for a double dose of crispiness!

Step 5: Grill to Golden Perfection

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium. Working in batches if needed, cook the assembled sandwiches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted into every crevice. Serve your Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes warm, right from the skillet, for that ultimate cheese pull moment!

How to Serve Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes

Garnishes

Give your Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes the finishing touch with tangy dill pickles, a sprinkle of chopped green onions, or even a handful of crispy fried onions for added crunch. These easy add-ons take your sandwich from satisfying to showstopping in seconds.

Side Dishes

Pair Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes with crispy potato chips, sweet potato fries, or a simple green salad to balance out the richness. Creamy coleslaw or a piping hot bowl of tomato soup are classic choices that add contrast and make your meal feel extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice your sandwiches into thirds for fun party sliders, or stuff the filling into mini buns or hollowed-out baguettes for a cute twist. You can even serve them open-faced, topped with extra cheese and briefly broiled, for a fork-and-knife feast. No matter how you plate them, Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes are all about crowd-pleasing appeal!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover beef filling, spoon it into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Keep the bread and cheese separate until you’re ready to assemble fresh sandwiches, so everything stays crisp and melty.

Freezing

The sloppy joe mixture freezes beautifully! Cool it completely, then pack into freezer-safe containers or bags. It’ll keep for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and assembling your Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes as usual.

Reheating

Reheat the beef filling gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until steaming hot. Assemble new sandwiches with fresh cheese and bread, then grill as you would originally for a just-cooked taste and texture.

FAQs

Can I make Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the sloppy joe filling in advance and keep it chilled. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the sandwiches with fresh bread and cheese, then grill for a quick and satisfying meal.

What type Main Course

Cheddar is classic, but any melty cheese like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even American will work beautifully. Mixing a few kinds can add extra depth and gooeyness.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes are always a hit with kids! Feel free to use mild cheddar and plain white bread if you’ve got picky eaters, and let everyone customize their own sandwich with their favorite add-ons.

How can I make this recipe healthier?

Swap in ground turkey or lean beef, use whole grain bread, and try part-skim cheese. You can also stir in finely chopped veggies like bell pepper or even mushrooms to boost nutrition without sacrificing flavor.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! This recipe easily scales up—just use a larger skillet for the filling and batch-grill your sandwiches. Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes make a fantastic choice for parties and game day spreads.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a sandwich that’s both nostalgic and completely next-level, you can’t go wrong with Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes. They’re gooey, hearty, and totally satisfying—just the thing for a quick dinner or a cozy lunch. Give them a try and watch your friends and family light up with every melty bite!

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 7 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A delicious twist on the classic sloppy joes, these Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes combine the flavors of a sloppy joe filling with the gooey goodness of a grilled cheese sandwich. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sloppy Joe Filling:

1 pound ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sandwiches:

8 slices sandwich bread
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter, softened

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Instructions

Cook the Sloppy Joe Filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess grease. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened, then remove from heat.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place 4 slices, butter-side down, on a flat surface. Top each with shredded cheddar, a scoop of the sloppy joe mixture, and more cheddar. Top with the remaining bread slices, butter-side up.
Cook the Sandwiches: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches 2–3 minutes per side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve warm.