Inside Out Cheesy Sloppy Joe

Ever see a photo of food and just know that you have to try it?

I saw a similar recipe to this back in November over at Love Bakes Good Cakes and ever since I have been itching to try it. Jamie's version was more of a bacon cheeseburger but I changed it up a bit so it was more sloppy Joe-ish.

Her photo had me drooling immediately.

I'm not sure why I waited so long to make it. It really is not too hard to put together and it is delicious. Plus, if you have any extras you can freeze them for later. All it takes is a minute or two in the microwave and they are good to go.

I was thinking these would be perfect for a picnic lunch.

Inside Out Cheesy Sloppy Joe

Ingredients

1 recipe BREAD DOUGH

1 lb extra lean ground beef

1/2 medium onion, diced

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp prepared mustard

1 can (213 ml/7.5 oz) pizza sauce (OR about 3/4 of a cup)

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

salt & pepper

5 slices processed cheese, cut in half

Directions

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large fry pan, cook beef until no longer pink. Add in onion, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, mustard, pizza sauce, and spices. Cook and stir until onions are soft.

Remove from heat and let cool while you prepare bread dough. You want to be at room temp or just a little bit warm so it won't affect your dough.

Prepare bread dough as per recipe to the first resting point. After it has rested 15 minutes, cut dough into approximately 10 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a ball. This is when you can even up the sizes if need be. (IE: if one ball is too big, pinch some off and add it to a smaller one. No need to be exactly exact, just as close as you can get.)

Flatten each ball into a flat disc a little bit bigger than the size of your hand. Place 1/4 cup of the beef mixture in the center and 1/2 a slice of the cheese on top.

Lift the side of the dough together and pinch to seal. Gently shape back into a circle shape and place, seam side down, on prepared cookie sheet.

Preheat oven to 375.

Cover dough and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes until doubled in size. (I usually set it on top of the oven)

Bake at 375 for 30 - 40 minutes. Bread should be browned on top and sound hollow when tapped.

Serve warm.

You could probably get away with using any bread dough recipe you like....for that matter...even store bought dough. I'm not sure how many you would get with a different recipe but, using my bread dough, you get 10 large, soft, ooey gooey, cheesy buns.

Be sure to pop over to Love Bakes Good Cakes to see Jamie's version.

Oh, yes, and you can use "real" cheese if you prefer. I use the processed cheese slices (or, as I call them - "plastic cheese" slices) because they seems to melt better inside the bun.

I was going for as gooey as possible here. :)

Visit Memories By The Mile and The Rustic Pig and Carole's Chatter for some great links!