Ingredients
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Sloppy Joe Filling
- Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef. Break it apart into chunks and let it brown. Once it's nearly cooked through, toss in the finely chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Now, stir in the Dijon mustard, ketchup, soy sauce, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Give it a good mix to combine everything. Let it cook on low heat for about 10 minutes until thickened. Set it aside to cool slightly.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwich
- While the filling cools, we're on to the fun part. Grab your slices of toasted sourdough. Layer ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on four slices. Top them with the sloppy joe mixture. Don’t skimp; it should be heaping. Finish off with another ½ cup of cheese on top of the meat. Finally, cover those with the other four slices of bread.
Step 3: Melt the Butter
- In a clean skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
Step 4: Grill the Sandwiches
- Once the butter is bubbling, carefully place two sandwiches in the pan. Grill for about 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Then, flip them over and add the remaining butter to the pan. Grill the other side until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Repeat with the second batch of sandwiches.
Step 5: Serve Hot
- Cut them in half and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients
Fresh ingredients amplify flavor. Your vegetables should crunch, and the cheese should melt beautifully. - Don’t Overstuff
It’s tempting to pile on more of that jiggly filling, but too much stuff may lead to a big mess. - Toast the Bread
Toast your bread slices before grilling. A little crunch helps prevent sogginess. - Control the Heat
If things are browning too quickly, lower the heat. You want the cheese melted, not burnt. - Experiment with Cheese
While I use cheddar, feel free to mix it up. Try pepper jack for a kick or mozzarella for that classic stretch.
