Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese places a thick, savory-sweet beef filling between two slices of cheese and mayonnaise-coated Texas toast. The skillet-to-griddle method combines the saucy center of a sloppy joe with the crisp exterior and melted layers of grilled cheese.
The recipe makes exactly 6 sandwiches in 35 minutes, including 15 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. Each sandwich uses two bread slices, two cheese slices, and about ⅓ cup filling.
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Ingredients
Gather 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef, ½ diced yellow onion, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 2 teaspoons beef bouillon powder, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, salt, pepper, 12 Texas toast slices, 12 American or cheddar slices, and mayonnaise for spreading.
The twelve-count bread and cheese quantities divide into six complete sandwiches.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Cheesy Beef Rigatoni.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
- Brown beef and onion over medium-high heat with bouillon, salt, and pepper for 8–10 minutes.
- Add fresh garlic for 30–45 seconds, then drain excess grease.
- Add tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar. Simmer gently 5–7 minutes until slightly thick.
- Heat a separate griddle over medium. Spread mayonnaise on one side of all 12 toast slices.
- Place 6 slices mayonnaise-side down. Add one cheese slice, about ⅓ cup filling, a second cheese slice, and the remaining bread mayonnaise-side up.
- Cook 3–4 minutes per side. Rest 1–2 minutes, cut diagonally, and serve.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Brown Two Pounds of Beef with Onion
Add Garlic, Then Drain Thoroughly
Build the Sloppy Joe Sauce
Simmer for Five to Seven Minutes
Prepare Twelve Texas Toast Slices
Start Six Sandwiches Mayo-Side Down
Measure About One-Third Cup Filling
Add the Second Cheese and Bread
Grill Three to Four Minutes per Side
Rest Briefly Before Cutting
Coordinate the Thirty-Five-Minute Recipe
Prevent Soggy or Leaking Sandwiches
Conclusion
Brown 2 pounds beef and half an onion with bouillon, salt, and pepper for 8–10 minutes. Add garlic for 30–45 seconds, drain, then add tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar; simmer 5–7 minutes. Coat one side of 12 toast slices with mayonnaise. Build 6 sandwiches with two cheese slices and about ⅓ cup filling each, then grill 3–4 minutes per side. Rest 1–2 minutes and cut diagonally.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How many Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese sandwiches does this make?
The recipe makes exactly 6 sandwiches from 12 Texas toast slices and 12 cheese slices.
- → How much filling goes in each sandwich?
Use approximately ⅓ cup thickened sloppy joe mixture per sandwich.
- → Which side of the bread gets mayonnaise?
Spread mayonnaise on the outside of every slice; that coated surface faces the griddle.
- → How long should each side grill?
Cook each side for 3–4 minutes over medium heat, until golden and the cheese is melted.