Easy Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes Recipe

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ByMaria August 13, 2025August 13, 2025

Easy Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes Recipe. It’s basically what it sounds like—all the deliciousness of a cheeseburger and sloppy joe smashed into one gloriously messy, comforting, and incredibly easy meal. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up when you’re staring into a fridge that looks emptier than your motivation after a long day. Trust me, you need this in your life.

My husband, bless his heart, is a simple man. He loves burgers. He loves sloppy joes. One night, when I was trying to be all creative and fancy, he looked at me with those puppy-dog eyes and whispered, “Can’t we just have something…easy?” BOOM. The Cheeseburger Sloppy Joe was born. Now, the kids actually cheer when they see me making it, which, let’s be honest, is a RARE occurrence around here. It’s become a Tuesday night staple!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes Recipe

It’s faster than ordering takeout (and way less guilt-inducing, let’s be real).
Kids (and picky adults!) actually devour it. No arguing, just messy faces and happy noises.
It’s customizable! Throw in whatever weird toppings you have lurking in the fridge. Nobody’s judging.
It’s pure comfort food. Like a hug in a bun. Or on a plate. I’ve been known to eat it straight from the pan.

How to Make It

Okay, so first things first, grab a big ol’ skillet. Brown your ground beef, right? Make sure you crumble it up real good, because nobody wants giant chunks of beef in their sloppy joe (unless, like, you’re into that sort of thing?). Now, here’s where the magic happens. You’re gonna drain off the grease, because…health? I dunno, it just seems right.

Next, toss in your ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce (try saying that five times fast!), brown sugar, and garlic powder. Don’t be shy with the garlic powder, okay? That’s the secret weapon. Stir it all up until it’s nice and bubbly.

Simmer that deliciousness for like, 10-15 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors get all cozy together. While that’s simmering, get your buns ready! Toast ’em if you’re feeling fancy.

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Okay, last step! Stir in the cheddar cheese until it’s all melty and gooey and amazing. Now, spoon that cheesy, beefy goodness onto your buns and…BAM! You’ve got Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes.

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef: I usually go for 80/20 because I’m not trying to be a health nut here, but leaner works too! Just add a little olive oil to the pan so it doesn’t dry out.
Ketchup: Okay, I’m a Heinz kinda gal, but use whatever you have in the fridge. Just don’t use that fancy organic stuff unless you really like it.
Yellow Mustard: Don’t skip this. It gives it that essential tang.
Worcestershire Sauce: I always mispronounce this. Always. But it’s key! It adds that umami thing that makes you go, “Mmmm.” Don’t skip it!
Brown Sugar: It balances out the tang from the ketchup and mustard. If you’re out, regular sugar works in a pinch, or even honey. I’ve done it all!
Garlic Powder: I’m a powder kind of gal, here, but you can use fresh if you wanna. One clove, minced, would do the trick. But seriously, don’t skip the garlic.
Cheddar Cheese: Use whatever kind you like! I usually have a block of medium cheddar in the fridge, but sharp cheddar, or even a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack, is amazing.

Recipe Steps:

Brown ground beef in a skillet, then drain excess grease.
Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder.
Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
Toast buns if desired.
Stir in cheddar cheese until melted and gooey.
Spoon mixture onto buns and serve immediately.

What to Serve It With

Okay, you gotta have some sides! Classic potato chips are always a win. Fries? Duh. But if you’re trying to be somewhat healthy (keyword: somewhat), a simple salad or some carrot sticks will do the trick. Coleslaw is amazing with this.

Tips & Mistakes

Don’t overcook the beef! Nobody likes dry, crumbly sloppy joes.
If the mixture gets too thick, add a splash of water or beef broth.
Taste as you go! Adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you like it sweeter, add more brown sugar. If you like it tangier, add more mustard.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with toppings! Pickles, onions, jalapenos… the possibilities are endless!
I once tried to add bacon bits… not my finest moment. It was too salty. Learn from my mistakes, people.

Storage Tips

Leftovers? If you have any, that is (they rarely last more than a day in my house). Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. And hey, cold sloppy joes for breakfast? No shame. I’ve done it. It’s actually kinda good. Don’t knock it ’til you try it.

Variations and Substitutions

Okay, so you’re feeling adventurous? Here are some things I’ve tried (and some things I’ve just plain skipped) when I was feeling lazy or just didn’t have the ingredients:

No buns? Serve it over rice or pasta. It’s basically a Cheeseburger Sloppy Joe Bowl.
Out of brown sugar? Honey or maple syrup work just fine. I’ve even used molasses in a pinch.
Don’t have Worcestershire sauce? A little soy sauce works in a pinch, but it’s not quite the same. You can also skip it and just add a little extra mustard.
Want to make it healthier? Use ground turkey instead of ground beef, and whole-wheat buns.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?

Totally. Just switch the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos (if you subbed it) and use gluten-free buns. I’ve done it more times than I can count. Still tastes bomb.

Do I have to toast the buns?

Nah, you don’t HAVE to, but toasting them makes them less likely to get soggy. Soggy buns are sad buns.

Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?

There are no tomatoes in this recipe, friend! You might be thinking of a regular sloppy joe?

How cheesy is this? Can I tone it down a bit?

It’s pretty cheesy, but you can definitely use less cheese if you want. Or, you know, use *more* cheese. I won’t judge.

What if I skip the Worcestershire sauce?

Honestly? It’s fine. You’ll lose that little something-something, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Still delicious. Just maybe add a pinch more mustard.

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