Description
Sloppy joe grilled cheese merges classic American comfort foods into one irresistible sandwich. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and crispy bread create a hearty meal that satisfies your deepest cravings with bold, messy deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 4 cups (1 pound) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 slices sourdough bread (about ½-inch thick)
Seasonings and Flavorings:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup water
Fats and Oils:
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the ground beef by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the meat and cook until thoroughly browned and crumbly.
- Season the beef with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, stirring to distribute the spices evenly and enhance the flavor profile.
- Create the saucy component by incorporating water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce into the meat mixture, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the beef uniformly.
- Remove the seasoned meat mixture from heat and set aside to cool slightly while preparing the bread.
- Take sourdough bread slices and generously butter one side of each slice with softened butter.
- Arrange four bread slices with the unbuttered side facing upward on a clean work surface.
- Distribute shredded sharp cheddar cheese as the first layer on each bread slice, creating a melty foundation.
- Spoon the prepared sloppy Joe meat mixture evenly over the cheese layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Sprinkle an additional layer of cheese on top of the meat to create a rich, gooey texture.
- Cover each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, positioning the buttered side facing outward.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and carefully place two sandwiches in the pan.
- Grill the sandwiches until they turn golden-brown and crispy, approximately 4 minutes per side, ensuring the cheese melts completely.
- Transfer the grilled sandwiches to a cutting board and slice diagonally to serve hot and showcase the melted interior.
Notes
- Softening butter at room temperature ensures smooth spreading and even melting for a perfectly golden, crispy sandwich exterior.
- Lean ground beef creates a lighter, less greasy sloppy joe mixture that pairs beautifully with sharp cheddar cheese.
- Layering cheese both under and over the meat helps create a gooey, melted cheese barrier that prevents bread from getting soggy.
- Medium-high heat guarantees a crisp, golden-brown crust while allowing the cheese to melt completely through the sandwich.
- Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar add depth and subtle sweetness to the classic sloppy joe flavor profile.
- Cooking sandwiches in batches prevents overcrowding and ensures each grilled cheese develops a perfect crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 748
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 109 mg