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Messy Cheesy Joe Melt Recipe

Messy Cheesy Joe Melt


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4.8 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Sloppy joe grilled cheeses merge classic comfort foods into one irresistible sandwich. Kansas City-style sauce mingles with melted cheese between buttery, crisp bread, creating a messy yet memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (454 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 8 slices sourdough bread (about ½-inch thick)
  • 4 tbsps (57 g or ½ stick) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in olive oil over medium heat, breaking into crumbly texture and infusing with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder for robust flavor.
  2. Sauce Creation: Integrate water, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce into meat mixture, simmering until sauce thickens and coats beef uniformly, developing a rich, tangy profile.
  3. Bread Staging: Butter sourdough bread slices on one side, laying unbuttered sides facing upward and constructing a cheese foundation with sharp cheddar, creating a melty base.
  4. Sandwich Assembly: Layer sloppy Joe meat mixture evenly across cheese, topping with additional cheese for enhanced gooeyness and covering with remaining buttered bread slices.
  5. Grilling Technique: Preheat skillet to medium-high, carefully positioning sandwiches and cooking until golden-brown and crispy, approximately 4 minutes per side, ensuring complete cheese melting.
  6. Serving Presentation: Transfer grilled sandwiches to cutting board, slice diagonally to reveal molten interior, and serve immediately while warmth and texture are at peak deliciousness.

Notes

  • Master Meat Seasoning: Blend spices thoroughly to create a deep, rich flavor profile that elevates the entire sandwich.
  • Sauce Consistency Matters: Simmer the sauce until it thickens and clings perfectly to the beef, preventing soggy bread and ensuring maximum taste.
  • Cheese Layering Technique: Place cheese on both sides of the meat to create a moisture barrier and guarantee an irresistibly melty, gooey texture.
  • Grilling Precision: Cook on medium-high heat for exactly 4 minutes per side to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior while melting cheese completely.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg