This Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese takes two classic recipes, sloppy joes and grilled cheese, and combines them into one next-level sandwich. It combines a rich, saucy sloppy joe filling with layers of melted cheddar cheese, all tucked between buttery slices of crispy Texas toast. The result is a warm, comforting sandwich that is both cheesy and hearty. If you are in the mood for something simpler, our traditional grilled cheese sandwich is always a classic.
Why Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Works
This sandwich blends two comfort food favorites into one satisfying dish. The sloppy joe mixture is sweet, savory, and just a little tangy thanks to ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. When paired with cheddar cheese and toasted bread, the flavors balance perfectly. The cheese also acts as a barrier that helps hold the sloppy joe filling inside the sandwich, keeping everything together while it cooks. As the bread toasts in butter, the outside becomes golden and crisp while the inside stays warm and gooey.
Tips for the Best Sandwich
- Cook the sloppy joe mixture until it thickens slightly so it does not make the bread soggy.
- Use Texas toast or another thick-sliced bread such as homemade sourdough to help support the filling and cheese.
- Cook the sandwiches over medium-low heat so the bread becomes golden brown while the cheese melts completely.
- Adding cheese both under and over the sloppy joe filling helps hold everything together and creates that perfect melted center.
What to Serve with Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
These sandwiches are rich and filling, so simple sides work best. Crispy air-fryer french fries, potato chips, or a small green salad all pair nicely. Pickles or coleslaw are also great choices because their acidity helps balance the richness of the sandwich.
Storage Tips
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh while the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted. If you have leftover sloppy joe filling, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The filling reheats well in a skillet or microwave and can easily be used to make more sandwiches later.
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
Sloppy Joe
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Grilled Cheese
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, softened and divided
- 10 slices Texas toast
- 10 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
Sloppy Joe
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onions until the beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes slightly thick and bubbly.
Grilled Cheese
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Butter one side of each slice of Texas toast.
- Working one or two sandwiches at a time, place a slice of bread butter-side down in the skillet. Top with a slice of cheddar cheese, about ½ cup of sloppy joe mixture, and another slice of cheese.
- Place a second slice of bread on top, butter-side up.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwich and cook another 3-5 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the skillet and serve warm.
This recipe was inspired by iamhomesteader.com’s Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
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