Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Up your grilled cheese game with this Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese—a crispy, buttery sandwich filled with saucy ground beef and plenty of melty cheese. It combines two comfort-food favorites in one easy meal, making it perfect for busy weeknights, casual lunches, game day, or anytime you have leftover Sloppy Joe filling. Make the homemade Sloppy Joes right here, then turn them into a warm, hearty sandwich that is crunchy on the outside and gooey in the middle.
Why You’ll Love This Sandwich
- It gives leftover Sloppy Joe filling a delicious second life.
- The ingredients are simple, familiar, and easy to customize.
- It cooks in one skillet in just a few minutes.
- Both kids and adults can enjoy the classic sweet-and-savory flavor.
- You get a complete comfort-food experience: crisp bread, rich filling, and melted cheese in every bite.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
- Keep the filling thick. A loose or watery mixture can soak through the bread. Simmer the Sloppy Joe filling until it is spoonable rather than runny.
- Cool the filling slightly. Very hot filling may soften the bread before the cheese has time to melt.
- Use sturdy bread. Texas toast, sourdough, or thick-cut sandwich bread holds up well to the filling.
- Choose a good melting cheese. American, cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or provolone all work well. Try a combination for extra flavor.
- Spread butter edge to edge. An even, thin layer helps the entire surface turn golden and crisp. Mayonnaise can be used on the outside instead of butter if preferred.
- Cook over medium-low heat. Lower heat gives the cheese time to melt without burning the bread. If the outside browns too quickly, reduce the heat.
- Do not overfill. A generous layer is great, but too much filling makes the sandwich difficult to flip and eat.
- Press gently. Use a spatula to lightly press the sandwich against the skillet, but avoid squeezing out the filling.
Fun Facts
- Sloppy Joes and grilled cheese are both classic American comfort foods, so combining them feels familiar even though the sandwich is a fun mash-up.
- The Sloppy Joe is often connected to “loose meat” sandwiches, which feature crumbled seasoned beef rather than a formed burger patty.
- Grilled cheese is wonderfully adaptable: changing the bread or cheese can create a completely different version without changing the basic method.
- This recipe is also a smart leftover makeover. A small amount of filling that may not be enough for a full batch of sandwiches can stretch farther when paired with bread and cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Let the sandwich rest for a minute before slicing so the cheese and filling can settle. Cut it in halves for an easy meal or into smaller strips or triangles for a party platter. Serve it with pickles or a tangy slaw to balance the rich cheese and savory filling. For a classic diner-style plate, add French fries, tater tots, or potato chips. A crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, tomato soup, macaroni salad, or potato salad can round out the meal. For extra flavor, offer sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, barbecue sauce, or extra pickles on the side.
Storage and Reheating
For the best texture, store the Sloppy Joe filling separately from the bread and cheese, then assemble each sandwich just before cooking. Refrigerate cooled filling in an airtight container and use it within 3 to 4 days. To freeze the filling, let it cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in a saucepan or skillet until hot.
If you have an assembled leftover sandwich, wrap it tightly and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Reheat it in a skillet over low heat, turning once, until the bread is crisp and the center is warmed through. An air fryer also works well for restoring the crunch. The microwave is convenient, but it will make the bread softer. Avoid freezing a fully assembled sandwich because the bread may become soggy as it thaws.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make Sloppy Joes from scratch for your Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese?
Start with ground beef, then build the sauce with ingredients you probably already have. Recipes vary and may use tomato soup, tomato sauce, tomato paste, or ketchup. This version uses ketchup with mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and spices for a quick balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavor. Simmer until the mixture is thick enough to stay inside the sandwich.
What can I use instead of tomato paste for Sloppy Joes?
Tomato soup, tomato sauce, or ketchup can work in place of tomato paste. Because these substitutes contain more liquid, use a smaller amount of any other liquid in the recipe and simmer the filling longer if needed.
Why do they call them Sloppy Joes?
The story goes that a cook named Joe added tomato sauce to his “loose meat” sandwich and the Sloppy Joe was born. If I didn’t know that little tidbit of information, I would have guessed it’s because it’s sloppy to eat.
What is a good side to have with Sloppy Joes?
- Macaroni Salad
- Potato Salad
- Pickles
- Chips
- French Fries
- Tater Tots
Can Sloppy Joes be frozen?
Yes. Let the Sloppy Joes cool to room temperature. Place in an airtight container. If you are using a baggie, remove all of the air in the baggie before placing in the freezer. Sloppy Joes last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Other Sandwiches you can make
ITEMS/INGREDIENTS USED IN RECIPE – If you are interested in any of the items I may have used (or are similar to the items I used) in making this recipe, I have listed some of them below. NOTE: These links are affiliate links of which I receive a small commission from the sale of certain item. This does not affect your price, it remains the same.
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~Bobbi
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp Butter
- 2 Slices Bread I used Sourdough
- 2 Slices American Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Sloppy Joes
Instructions
- Let 1 tbsp of butter melt in the frying pan, on med to med-high heat.
- Using 1 tbsp of butter per slice of bread, spread evenly over one side of each piece.
- Once the butter is melted in the pan, place one slice of bread in the pan (butter side up).
- In the following order, add on top of the slice of bread (in the pan)….1 slice of cheese, 1/2 cup of Sloppy Joes, 1 slice of cheese. Then place the other slice of bread on top (butter side down).
- Cook for a total of 4-5 minutes, or until you prefer. Remove from pan, place on a plate. Add the last 1 tbsp of butter in the pan and let melt.
- Place the sandwich back in the pan with the uncooked slice of bread down. Basically, you just flipped it. Cook 4-5 minutes, or until you prefer.
- Remove from pan and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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