Goodbye, boring grilled cheese! Here is a recipe for one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I’ve ever tried. I kicked up the flavor factor of this classic sandwich by adding my go-to sloppy joe mix. The result is a crispy, flavorful and cheesy Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nature’s Own.
The other day, I made a double batch of my mom’s homemade Sloppy Joe recipe. This is one of my family’s favorite dinners. I grew up on these sandwiches and now my family loves them too.
I had quite some leftover Sloppy Joe mix but I didn’t have any buns or rolls on hand. Then I had a brilliant idea! Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese!
Why This Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese Recipe Works
This sandwich is exactly what it sounds like…a mashup of a Sloppy Joe and a Grilled Cheese. The result is one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. The key to this recipe is the bread (more on that below). You need the right thickness and the perfect texture in order to make it just right.
If the bread is too thin, the Sloppy Joe mix will bleed through. If it’s too thick, you don’t get the perfect ratio of crispy exterior to soft, tender interior. It’s part science, part art. And, oh, so delicious!
How to Make the Best Grilled Cheese with Sloppy Joes – Step by Step
- Gather all ingredients: Bread, sloppy joe sauce and cheese. (Photo 1 below)
- The Key is the Bread: I’ve found that Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread. It makes the best toasted cheese sandwich. (Photo 2 below)
- Pile on the Sloppy Joe Mix: Place a thick layer of your Sloppy Joe mix on one slice of the bread. (Photo 3 below)
- Top with Cheese: Pile on your favorite cheese. Don’t be skimpy. Load it up. (Photo 1 below)
- Butter the Outsides: Butter both outsides of the sandwich. (Photo 2 below)
- Grill: Place buttered sandwich on a grill pan and grill until toasted on both sides. (Photo 3 below)
What is the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese?
When it comes to making the best grilled cheese, one of the key components is using the right bread. The perfect bread will toast up nice and crispy on the outside while the interior of the bread stays soft, giving you that perfect balance of texture.
I’ve found that one of the best breads for toasted cheese sandwich is Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread. This bread is absolutely perfect for making the best toasted cheese. It’s just the right thickness which allows the bread to toast up nice and crispy on the outside while the inside stays tender. PERFECTION!
I’ve been using Nature’s Own breads for a while now and I love all of the varieties. I love that there are no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors, and no high fructose corn syrup just goodness. Plus, Nature’s Own breads go from the oven to the store shelves in about 48 hours so you know you’re getting the freshest product.
I’m loving the Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread. It’s rich with just a hint of sweetness. You can also find Nature’s Own Butterbread, Nature’s Own Honey Wheat, Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat, Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Multigrain and Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted White bread.
Other Ways to Create the Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Another way to amp up a traditional grilled cheese sandwich is to go the sweet route. I created a Strawberry Grilled Cheese with only a few simple pantry ingredients.
I slathered one slice of Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread with strawberry cream cheese, then topped it with sliced fresh strawberries. On the other slice of bread, I spread a layer of strawberry preserves. Then, I buttered both outsides and toasted it on a grill pan.
This tasted just like a toaster pastry. It was creamy and sweet and perfectly crispy. It makes a great quick and easy breakfast that kids (and adults) are sure to love.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Grilled Cheese Recipe
Anyone can be a grilled cheese expert with these expert tips:
- Use the right bread: The perfect grilled cheese needs the perfect bread. Make sure it’s not too thin or too thick.
- Use cheese that melts nicely: Stick with cheeses that have good flavor and melt nicely – Monterey Jack, Provolone, American, Colby, Brie.
- Get a gorgeous crispy, golden toast: The key to getting a crispy, golden toasted exterior is to use butter or mayonnaise. I use butter on sweet grilled cheese sandwiches and mayo on savory ones.
- Get creative with your sandwich: I used Sloppy Joes, but you can also use Buffalo Chicken Dip, my famous Hoagie Dip or even this sloppy steak. Simply add your favorite cheese. They all make great grilled cheese sandwiches!
More Recipes You Might Like
Looking for more? Check out all of the best easy sandwich recipe on It Is a Keeper.
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Sloppy Joe Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 slices Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread
- 1/2 cup prepared Sloppy Joe Mix
- 1/4 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese
- 5 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Place 1/4 cup of prepared sloppy joe mix on one slice of Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread.
- Top with 1/8 cup of shredded cheese.
- Place another slice of Nature’s Own Perfectly Crafted Brioche bread on top.
- Generously butter the outside (on both sideof the sandwich using 1 tablespoon of butter per side.
- Repeat with remaining sandwich.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium high heat.
- Melt remaining tablespoon of butter in the skillet.
- Place sandwich into skillet and grill until lightly browned on each side (about 2-3 minutes per side).
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use the right bread: The perfect grilled cheese needs the perfect bread. Make sure it's not too thin or too thick.
- Use cheese that melts nicely: Stick with cheeses that have good flavor and melt nicely - Monterey Jack, Provolone, American, Colby, Brie.
- Get a gorgeous crispy, golden toast: The key to getting a crispy, golden toasted exterior is to use butter or mayonnaise. I use butter on sweet grilled cheese sandwiches and mayo on savory ones.
- Get creative with your sandwich: I used Sloppy Joes, but you can also use Buffalo Chicken Dip, my famous Hoagie Dip or even this sloppy steak. Simply add your favorite cheese. They all make great grilled cheese sandwiches!
Nutrition
- Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust!
- When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
- I always use a meat thermometor to test for doneness when cooking meat. This one is my favorite.
- When a recipe is made in the oven, it should be pre-heated to the temperature in the recipe, unless otherwise noted.
- The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate. Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nature’s Own .
Katie says
This is the better version of a sloppy joe. The whole family loved it!