Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes
Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes combine the crispy, buttery goodness of grilled cheese sandwiches with a rich, savory sloppy joe filling. This quick, family-friendly comfort food offers a delicious twist on classic favorites, delivering a perfect balance of crunchy and gooey textures in every bite. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this customizable recipe can be adapted for dietary preferences including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free bread and sauce)
Sloppy Joe Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Optional spices: 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, pinch of cayenne pepper
Bread & Cheese
- 8 slices sandwich bread or 4 burger buns
- 4–6 slices cheddar cheese (or cheese of choice)
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks until fully cooked. Add the diced onions and minced garlic and cook until softened and fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and optional spices. Simmer until the mixture thickens to a rich, savory filling.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Butter one side of each bread slice or the outside of each bun. On the unbuttered side of one slice, place a slice of cheese, then spoon a generous amount of sloppy joe filling on top. Add another slice of cheese over the filling, then top with the second bread slice, butter side out.
- Grill to Golden Perfection: Heat a pan over medium heat. Grill each sandwich for 3 to 5 minutes per side, pressing lightly and flipping carefully to allow the cheese to melt and the bread to crisp to golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the grilled sandwiches from heat once they are crispy and melty. Slice if desired and serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- Use quality cheese that melts well for the best gooey texture.
- Do not overload the filling to prevent messy sandwiches.
- Press the sandwich gently while grilling to meld layers without squeezing out filling.
- Grill on medium or medium-low heat to avoid burning bread before cheese melts.
- Make sloppy joe filling ahead and refrigerate to enhance flavors and save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: grilled cheese, sloppy joe, comfort food, sandwich, quick recipe, family friendly, melty cheese, savory filling