Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the ground beef. As it begins to cook, break it apart with a spatula. Season it with salt, black pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika. I always recommend using fresh spices, as they elevate the flavor immensely.

Once the beef is browned, add the finely diced onion to the pan. Cook until the onion becomes translucent, about five minutes. The aroma at this point? Absolutely delightful!

Stir in the minced garlic, letting it cook for just a minute until fragrant. Then, add the Worcestershire sauce, tomato puree, ketchup, mustard, and BBQ sauce. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken up.

While the mixture simmers, grab two slices of brioche or your bread of choice. Spread a generous layer of butter or creamy mayonnaise on one side of each slice.

On the unbuttered side, place a slice of American cheese. Next, heap a spoonful (or two!) of the sloppy joe mixture right on top of the cheese. Add another slice of cheese on top to ensure that gooey goodness. Finally, cover it with the other slice of bread, buttered side facing up.

Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, place the assembled sandwich in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown. Carefully flip the sandwich and repeat for the other side. Be gentle; you don’t want the filling to spill out!

Once toasted to perfection, remove the sandwich from heat, slice it in half (for presentation, of course), and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve hot, and get ready for the compliments to flow.