Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Two childhood comfort food classics collide in one glorious skillet sandwich. A tangy, sweet, beefy sloppy joe filling layered between melted cheese and crispy mayo-griddled Texas toast. Messy, indulgent, and ready in 35 minutes.
- Total Time35 minutes
- Yield8 sandwiches 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Sloppy Joe Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Sandwich Components
- as needed cheese slices
- as needed Texas toast bread
- for spreading mayonnaise
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine diced onions and ground beef. Season with beef bouillon powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Drain off excess grease.
- Build the Sloppy Joe Sauce: Add tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar to the skillet. Stir until well combined, then bring to a simmer over low-medium heat for 5–7 minutes until thickened.
- Griddle the Sandwiches: In a separate skillet over medium heat, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each piece of Texas toast. Place mayo-side down in the skillet. Layer one slice of cheese, a serving of sloppy joe filling, and another slice of cheese. Top with a second piece of bread, mayo-side up. Cook until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted.
- Serve: Slice on the diagonal and serve hot.
Notes
Don’t overstuff the sandwiches — 2 to 3 tablespoons of filling per sandwich keeps them manageable and prevents the filling from squeezing out. Let the sloppy joe mixture simmer until thick enough to mound on a spoon. Mayo on the bread creates a crispier, more evenly golden crust than butter. The filling freezes well — make a double batch and store half for quick future meals. Use medium heat for grilling to ensure the cheese melts fully before the bread burns.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 1050
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
