Description
This Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes recipe combines the hearty flavors of a classic cheeseburger with the ease and comfort of sloppy joes, featuring ground beef simmered in a savory, tangy sauce and topped with melted sharp white cheddar cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish makes a perfect casual meal served on buns with your favorite burger toppings.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (plus more, if needed)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 3/4 cup beef broth
Cheese and Serving
- 8 slices Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices
- Buns and burger toppings, for serving (lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc.)
Instructions
- Heat the oil and soften onions: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and browned, about 7-10 minutes.
- Cook the beef: Push the onions to one side of the pan and add the ground beef to the other side. Sprinkle the meat with salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Cook the meat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Stir the meat and onions together. If there is excess grease (more than a tablespoon), drain it off.
- Add sauce ingredients and simmer: Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, brown sugar, tomato paste, and beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 10 minutes, letting the sauce thicken and reduce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper as needed.
- Melt the cheese: Turn off the heat. Arrange 3-4 slices of sharp white cheddar cheese on top of the meat mixture and cover the pan with a lid. Let the residual heat melt the cheese over a couple of minutes.
- Serve: Scoop the cheesy sloppy joe mixture onto buns and top with extra cheese if desired, along with your favorite burger toppings such as lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can use lean ground beef to reduce fat content or substitute ground turkey for a leaner alternative.
- If the sauce thickens too much while simmering, add a splash more beef broth or water to loosen it.
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking—pickles, onions, and jalapenos all add great flavor.
- For extra richness, butter the buns lightly and toast them before serving.
