June 28, 2012

Sloppy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

When is the last time your power went out?  I'm not talking about just a flicker of the lights, but an actual power outage for hours and hours?  That happened to me the other night.  I was getting ready to make dinner.  I pulled everything out of the fridge and pantry.  I already had a chicken breast in the oven that I was going to use in my casserole.  Then, the lights went out and I hear the sound of everything shutting down.  So, I wait a few minutes, then a few minutes more.  Nothing.   A while goes bye and still nothing.  I called the power companies number and listened to the recording which said estimated up time 9:30 p.m.  Great. I guess we're going out for dinner and going shopping for a few hours.  

We got home around 10:00 p.m and as we pull in, I notice all of the neighbors lights are still out.  Crap.  I called the power companies number again and now it says estimated up time midnight.  Luckily, I had some candles in the cupboard.  I showered to candle light and I brushed my teeth to candlelight.  I couldn't imagine having a power outage for more than a day.  Things like that make me realize how much we rely on power.  
No lights, no oven (which means no cookies), no computer or internet (no blogging), no T.V., no radio, NO AIR CONDITIONER.  

Anyway, that really had nothing to do with anything, except for maybe the reason why it took me an extra day or two to get up my blog post.

Now, onto the sloppy grilled cheese sandwiches.

This was a nice twist on a regular sloppy joe.   I had never eaten a sloppy joe sandwich with cheese on it, but could cheese really be bad on something.  I don't think so!  I thought these were great.  They are fast and easy and your whole family will gobble them up.  I loved the crunch from the toasted bread with the melty cheese and sloppy filling and I loved that this used regular white bread (I actually used french bread I had on hand).    

Sloppy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
(Printable Recipe)

8-10 slices white bread
butter or butter spray
shredded or sliced Cheddar cheese

Prepare sloppy joe filling according to recipe directions.  Meanwhile, heat skillet over medium heat.  Spread butter over one side of each slice of bread.  For each sandwich, place one slice of bread, butter side down into a skillet.  Top each slice with some cheese, some of the beef mixture and additional cheese.  Place an additional slice of bread on top, butter side up, creating the sandwich.  Cook until bread is nicely browned, carefully flip over and cook until other side is browned.  Repeat until all the sandwiches are made.  Makes 4-5 sandwiches.  

Jenn's Notes: I used store-bought french bread, that I sliced like sandwich bread.  I use butter spray, which makes it so much easier than trying to spread butter onto soft bread.  I only did one layer of cheese and I thought that would be plenty, but I ended up wishing there was more.  So, add both layers!  I cooked these in a cast iron skillet and they browned up very nicely. 

idea from: Real Mom Kitchen

25 comments:

  1. Be glad you're on city water! We had a 4 day outage one winter and our well pump is electric... you can't even brush your teeth or flush a toilet then...

    but all whining and self-pity aside, grilled cheese sloppy joes look awesome!

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    1. Oh my gosh! I couldn't even imagine going through that. - Jenn

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  2. Thanks for your help today. I totally screwed it up but it still tasted good. I will be doing the reciped again sometime. I even had enough to send home with my VT.
    Love, Aunt Marie

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    1. Oh no - so sorry! Call me anytime - I always love to talk food. - Jenn

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  3. That looks good and easy...yummm. Mary

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  4. Yummy I have extra sloppy joe mix in my fridge now.. This could be lunch today lol

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  5. Ugh! Sorry about the power!

    But these sandwiches look incredible-- seriously. You have no idea how much I love sloppy joes and grilled cheeses separately! How have I never put them together???

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  6. This is such a good idea and I'm kicking myself for not thinking of it.

    Thank you! My kids thank you too :-)

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  7. No fun having the power out! The sandwich sounds delicious!

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  8. Mmmmm ... I make these with my left over sloppy joe meat - So Good!

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  9. Pinned this immediately! Easy and yummy! This will be a hit at our house!

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  10. Wow, we must be neighbors! I've got the same story of that dang power outage! Hubby and I went out to dinner, power was still out, so we went to a movie. I can't go without my air conditioning! I cannot wait to make these sloppy joe sandwiches, two of my favorite foods combined. Genius!

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  11. Holy cow this is a great idea! Pinned it right way, I think this is a meal my kiddo's would love! Great recipe!

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  12. This is a great idea! My daughter would totally love this and it probably helps keep the filling from falling out everywhere. Pinning now. I'd love to have you link this up to Titus 2 Tuesday this week on Cornerstone Confessions. Hope to see you there!

    Kathy

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  13. I'm gonna make this for dinner TONIGHT! Thanks for posting this idea!

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  14. Yum! I pinned this :) I would totally make it tonight but we're on vacation, and we don't have all the ingredients in our condo. Thanks for sharing!

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  15. I saw these on a link party and my first thought was 'Whoever posted these is my new best friend!' So bestie.. these look delicious! Pinning them and making them soon!

    If you get a chance I would love for you to link this up to my Friday party.. it just opened!

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    1. You are too funny! - Jenn

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    2. New follower.. and this is going on my menu this week! Check it out on my menu monday post soon :)

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  16. What a delicious idea! Definitely considered comfort food :) Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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