Craving a creative twist on leftovers? Our Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese recipe is the answer! It’s a simple yet brilliant way to turn last night’s Sloppy Joes into a brand-new meal. Just add cheese and bread, and you’ve got a deliciously toasty sandwich that’s sure to be a hit. Perfect for quick dinners or indulgent lunches, this dish is all about making the most of what you already have.
Make it a meal and serve this easy sandwich with a side salad, mac and cheese, or even topped with a little coleslaw!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Dinner Idea
- Creative Leftover Use: It’s a fantastic way to reinvent leftovers, making a whole new meal without much extra effort.
- Comfort Food Craving: This recipe hits the spot for those comfort food urges with its cheesy, meaty goodness.
- Quick and Easy: Ideal for busy weeknights or when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids usually love the cheesy, familiar flavors, making it a hit with the younger crowd.
One of the biggest challenges we face in our family is the waste of leftovers. My husband and child aren’t big fans of reheated meals, which leaves me trying to either cut our recipes down or eat all of the leftovers we stock in the fridge. The last few months I have made it my mission to repurpose our leftovers into new dishes that everyone will love.
These sloppy joe grilled cheese sandwiches were such a hit that my picky teenager asked for seconds. We utilized all of the same ingredients from the night before with one simple addition: cheese. Quick. Easy. and delicious.
Save This Recipe!
Add your email below and we’ll send it straight to your inbox + you’ll receive all our newest recipes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The key here is to pick ingredients you know that you like. Opt for your favorite breads and cheeses. You can’t go wrong.
- Sloppy Joe Meat: Because this is designed to be a leftover recipe, you’ll need a good sloppy joe recipe. Homemade sloppy Joes or store-bought will work perfectly! Does it need to be leftovers? Nope. This works great as a creative way to serve the classic fresh too.
- Cheese: We tested this with cheddar and thought it was amazing, but American, mozzarella, or any good melting cheese works well.
- Butter: I prefer salted butter, but unsalted works too. Just enough salted butter to spread onto your bread of choice for that nice golden finish.
- Bread: I used the same buns from the night before, only upside down. I buttered the inside of the bun to use as the outside of the sandwich. Other options, like sourdough or Texas toast, would work well too.
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Recipe
When you make this simple dinner recipe you’ll be tempted to really layer on the meat, I’m going to encourage you to follow the “less is more” mantra. A little less filling makes it easier to flip the sandwiches without a ton of spillage.
- Prepare the Sloppy Joe Mix: If you’re using leftovers, just reheat them. If it’s canned, warm it up in a pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
- Butter the Bread: Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. This will be the outside that gets grilled.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Place a slice of bread, buttered side down, on a plate. Lay a slice of cheese on top, then spoon some Sloppy Joe mix over the cheese. Add another slice of cheese and top it with another slice of bread, buttered side up.
- Cook the Sandwich: Heat a skillet or pan over medium heat. Once hot, place your sandwich in the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Flip carefully with a spatula.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once both sides are cooked, remove from the pan, let it cool for a minute, then cut in half. Serve warm.
Expert Recipe Tips:
- Bread Selection: Opt for a sturdy bread like sourdough or Texas toast. They hold up better under the weight of the fillings and don’t get soggy.
- Cheese Matters: Use a good melting cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. Feel free to mix cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- Control the Sloppiness: Don’t overload the sandwich with the Sloppy Joe mix. It should be enough to cover the cheese but not so much that it spills out and makes the bread soggy.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Cook the sandwich on a lower heat for a longer time. This ensures the cheese melts perfectly without burning the bread.
- Butter Is Better: Butter the bread instead of the pan for a more even, crispy exterior.
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese Choices: Different Flavors: Experiment with pepper jack for a spicy kick, Gouda for a smoky taste, or provolone for a milder flavor. Dairy-Free: Use vegan cheese slices for a dairy-free version.
- Bread Variations: Whole Wheat or Multigrain: For a healthier twist. Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free bread if you’re avoiding gluten.
- Add-Ins: Veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for a nutritional boost. Crunch Factor: Include crispy onions or jalapeño slices for extra texture and flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Using a store-bought sauce is a quick and convenient option. Just prepare it according to the package instructions.
Be moderate with the Sloppy Joe filling and make sure to cook the sandwich on medium heat so the bread gets crispy.
Sweet potato fries, coleslaw, a simple garden salad, or baked beans make great sides.
Yes, the Sloppy Joe mix can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
It’s best served fresh. However, you can prep the Sloppy Joe mixture in advance and assemble and grill the sandwich when ready to eat.
More Quick Dinner Ideas
Still Hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 buns or rolls or 8 slices of bread
- 1⅓ cup  sloppy Joe meat homemade or store bought
- 4 slices cheese
Instructions
-  If you’re using leftover sloppy joe meat, reheat in a pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes. If you are using store bought follow the directions on the package.
- Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. This will be the outside that gets grilled.
- Place a slice of bread, buttered side down, on a plate. Spoon 1/3 cup of sloppy joe beat on top, then add a slice of cheese. Top it with another slice of bread, buttered side up.
- Optional, you can use two slices of cheese on either side of the meat for double cheesy goodness.
- Heat a skillet or pan over medium heat. Once hot, place the sandwich in the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Flip carefully with a spatula.
- Once both sides are cooked, remove from the pan, let it cool for a minute, then cut in half. Serve warm.
Notes
- Bread Selection: Opt for a sturdy bread like sourdough or Texas toast. They hold up better under the weight of the fillings and don’t get soggy.
- Cheese Matters: Use a good melting cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack. Feel free to mix cheeses for a more complex flavor.
- Control the Sloppiness: Don’t overload the sandwich with the Sloppy Joe mix. It should be enough to cover the cheese but not so much that it spills out and makes the bread soggy.
- Low and Slow Cooking: Cook the sandwich on a lower heat for a longer time. This ensures the cheese melts perfectly without burning the bread.
- Butter Is Better: Butter the bread instead of the pan for a more even, crispy exterior.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @1sweetappetite and follow pinterest for more!
Find even more recipes!
Be sure to share it in the comments below and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more delicious recipes.