Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese is a tasty twist on two classic comfort foods. You can make this yummy meal in just 25 minutes. This recipe combines a meaty sloppy joe filling with gooey melted cheese between two slices of golden toasted bread.

The dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want something quick and filling. It’s easy to make and uses simple ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. Kids and adults alike will love this fun sandwich that brings together two favorite meals in one delicious package.

Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese sandwiches:
For the Sloppy Joe filling:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the grilled cheese:
- 8 slices hearty white bread or Texas toast
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
This recipe makes 4 servings. You can easily double the ingredients if you’re cooking for a bigger group. Remember to adjust your cooking time if you make a larger batch.
Make sure you have all these ingredients ready before you start cooking. It’ll make the process smoother and more fun!

Instructions
Melt butter in a big pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and green pepper. Cook them for 5 minutes until soft. Put in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add ground beef to the pan. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. When it’s no longer pink, drain extra fat.
Mix in ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to thicken. Take the pan off the heat.
Heat up a griddle or large pan. Butter one side of each bread slice.
Put a bread slice on the griddle, butter side down. Add 1/4 cup cheese, then a big scoop of beef mix, then another 1/4 cup cheese. Top with another bread slice, butter side up.
Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip carefully and cook 2-3 more minutes until both sides are golden and cheese melts.
Move the sandwich to a cutting board. Let it cool a bit, then cut in half. Make 4 sandwiches total.
Serve your Sloppy Joe grilled cheese right away while it’s hot and gooey. Enjoy your yummy creation!

Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap out ingredients in this Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese recipe. Here are some tasty options:
• Ground meat: Try ground turkey or chicken instead of beef
• Cheese: Swap cheddar for American, Swiss, or pepper jack
• Bread: Use sourdough, whole wheat, or rye instead of white bread
For a veggie version, replace the meat with:
- Lentils
- Crumbled tofu
- Chopped mushrooms
No ketchup? Mix tomato sauce with a bit of vinegar and sugar. Out of Worcestershire sauce? Use soy sauce with a dash of hot sauce.
Can’t eat dairy? Skip the cheese and use dairy-free butter. For a gluten-free meal, pick your favorite gluten-free bread.
Want it spicier? Add some diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the meat mixture. You can also sprinkle in some chili powder or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Feel free to get creative with your Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese! These swaps let you make it your own while keeping that classic comfort food taste.
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make this Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few simple swaps. Use whole wheat bread instead of white bread for more fiber. This helps slow down sugar absorption.
Choose lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. These options have less fat and fewer calories. You can also use half the amount of meat and add more veggies like diced zucchini or carrots.
Replace regular ketchup with a sugar-free version. Skip the brown sugar entirely or use a small amount of a natural sweetener like stevia. These changes cut down on added sugars.
For the cheese, pick a reduced-fat cheddar. Use just 1 cup total instead of 2 cups to lower the fat and calorie content.
Try these ingredient amounts for a lighter version:
- 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
- 1/3 cup sugar-free ketchup
- 1 teaspoon stevia (optional)
- 4 slices whole wheat bread
- 1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Cook everything the same way, but use cooking spray instead of butter for the bread. This small change saves a lot of calories and fat.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
For extra crispy bread, spread a thin layer of mayo on the outside instead of butter. This creates a golden, crunchy crust.
Try different cheese blends to mix up the flavor. A combo of cheddar and Swiss or pepper jack adds extra kick.
Make the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. This makes assembling sandwiches quick and easy.
To prevent soggy bread, let the Sloppy Joe mixture cool slightly before assembling. This helps keep the bread crisp.
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispiness.
For a veggie version, swap the beef for lentils or plant-based crumbles. Add extra veggies like carrots or mushrooms for more flavor.
Use a spatula to press down gently on the sandwich while cooking. This helps melt the cheese and bind everything together.
Serve with pickles or coleslaw on the side for a tangy crunch that balances the rich flavors.