Description

Imagine the juicy, sweet-and-savory goodness of a sloppy joe tucked inside the golden, crispy embrace of buttery grilled cheese. Every bite is a little messy, insanely cheesy, and downright irresistible. Perfect for casual dinners, late-night cravings, or when your soul needs a hug made out of food.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450 g) ground beef

1 small onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup water

8 slices of bread (white, sourdough, or your favorite)

2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella.

4 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions

Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Create the sauce: Stir in ketchup, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water.
Simmer: Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat.
Butter up: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice.
Build the deliciousness: Start by layering the unbuttered side of the bread with a hearty sprinkle of cheese. Add a scoop of the sloppy joe mixture, followed by another generous handful of cheese. Finish it off with a second slice of bread, making sure the buttered side is facing out.
Grill it: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches down and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
Rest & Serve: Let sandwiches rest for a minute before slicing (to avoid cheese lava burns). Serve hot!

Notes

Cheese choice: Feel free to get fancy — pepper jack, gouda, or even a little Swiss can jazz things up.
Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the sloppy joe mixture in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
Customize it: Add a few jalapeño slices, crispy bacon, or even a fried egg if you’re feeling wild.
Mess level: High. Napkin count: infinite. Dignity: optional but recommended.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Sandwiches, Comfort Food
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sandwich
Calories: 680 kcal
Sugar: 9 g
Sodium: 1050 mg
Fat: 41 g
Saturated Fat: 19 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 37 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 34 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg