There’s something about a hot sandwich that just feels like the right call on a busy night. Warm bread, melty cheese, and a filling that actually satisfies.
Whether you’re craving slow cooker pulled pork piled high on buns, a classic sloppy joe the kids will devour, or a cheesy melt straight from the skillet, these recipes are the kind of comfort food dinners that come together without a lot of fuss.
They’re organized by type so you can jump straight to whatever sounds good tonight.
⭢ Sloppy Joes
If there’s one hot sandwich that never goes out of style, it’s a good sloppy joe. These are messy in the best possible way, packed with a savory-sweet sauce that soaks into soft buns. They’re fast, they’re family-friendly, and they’re the kind of dinner that’s requested on repeat.
Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes
Made from scratch with a thick, tangy-sweet sauce that beats anything from a can. Twenty minutes, a handful of pantry staples, and dinner’s done.
Turkey Sloppy Joes
A lighter take on the classic with ground turkey that still brings all the saucy, messy comfort. Make it on the stovetop or let the slow cooker handle it.
Slow Cooker Italian Sloppy Joes
Italian sausage, marinara, and melty mozzarella give this sloppy joe a completely different flavor profile. A nice change of pace from the original.
⭢ Pulled Pork & BBQ Sandwiches
These are the slow cooker heroes. Toss everything in, walk away, and come back to tender, flavorful meat that’s ready to pile on buns. Pulled pork and BBQ sandwiches are perfect for feeding a crowd or prepping ahead for the week, and most of these practically make themselves.
Mississippi Pulled Pork
Butter, ranch seasoning, pepperoncini peppers, and a pork roast. The slow cooker does the rest, and the result is incredibly tender and tangy. A reader favorite.
Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken
Ready faster than pulled pork and just as satisfying. Smoky-sweet shredded chicken piled on buns with slaw or pickles is an easy weeknight win.
BBQ Beef
Slow-cooked beef in a rich BBQ sauce that shreds apart with a fork. Hearty, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that’s great on hoagie rolls or slider buns.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Tender pulled pork with a savory spice rub, cooked low and slow until it falls apart. Pile it on soft rolls with coleslaw for an easy, crowd-worthy dinner.
⭢ Sliders
Sliders are the ultimate crowd-friendly hot sandwich. Bake a whole pan at once, pull them apart, and everyone’s happy. These work just as well for a weeknight dinner as they do for game day, potlucks, or any time you’re feeding a group without a lot of effort.
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
Turkey, bacon, and cheese on buttery rolls, baked until golden. A Southern classic in slider form that’s rich, savory, and a little indulgent.
Hanky Panky Sliders
Seasoned sausage and beef with melty cheese on toasted slider buns. Simple to make, easy to scale, and they disappear fast at any gathering.
Easy “Crack” Chicken Sliders
Creamy ranch chicken with bacon and cheese, baked on slider buns until warm and melty. Addictive flavors and the whole pan is ready in about 30-45 minutes.
Ham and Cheese Sliders
Buttery Hawaiian roll sliders with a sweet glaze on top. About as simple as it gets, and always a hit for using up leftover ham or a quick dinner.
Honorable Mention: Turkey Reuben Sliders → All the flavors of a classic Reuben packed into slider form. These are a little more elevated than your average slider.
⭢ Melts & Hot Sandwiches
This is the catch-all for everything else that’s warm, melty, and satisfying. Classic melts, hearty subs, and easy sandwiches that hit the spot for dinner. Some are stovetop-fast, others come out of the oven bubbly and golden, but they’re all the kind of comfort food that makes a regular Tuesday feel a little better.
Classic Patty Melt
A diner favorite that deserves more home-kitchen love. Thin burger patty, caramelized onions, and melty cheese on toasted rye. Easy and satisfying.
Slow Cooker French Dip
Tender, slow-cooked beef on crusty rolls with rich au jus for dipping. One of the all-time great hot sandwiches, and this version is completely hands-off.
Crispy Fried Fish Sandwiches
Golden fried fish on a soft bun with tartar sauce. Think homemade fish sandwich that rivals your favorite seafood shack. A great change of pace.
Pastrami Reuben
Pastrami, Swiss, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on toasted rye. A classic deli sandwich that feels like a treat every time you make it at home.
Meatball Subs
Frozen meatballs, marinara, and melty mozzarella on toasted hoagie rolls. No homemade meatballs required, and it never disappoints.
Easy Tuna Melt
Creamy tuna salad on toasted bread with melted cheese, ready in just a few minutes. Simple, nostalgic, and perfect for a lighter sandwich night.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Crispy chicken, marinara, and melty mozzarella on a toasted roll. Just five ingredients for a hot sandwich that tastes way better than the effort.
Crock Pot Chicken Cheesesteak
Slow cooker chicken with peppers, onions, and melted provolone piled into hoagie rolls. A lighter Philly cheesesteak that makes itself while you’re busy.
Crab Melt
An upgraded melt with crab instead of tuna. A little more special-occasion but still easy enough for a weeknight. Rich, buttery, and worth the swap.
Crock Pot Italian Beef
Chicago-style Italian beef, fall-apart tender and piled on crusty rolls with giardiniera. The house smells amazing while this one slow-cooks all day.
Crescent Roll Stromboli
Deli meats and cheese wrapped in crescent roll dough, baked until golden and flaky. A fun dinner that feels more special than your average sandwich.
20-Minute Bratwurst Sandwiches
Pan-fried bratwurst on toasted buns with your favorite toppings. Fast, hearty, and perfect for nights when you want dinner without any real effort.
Easy Shrimp Po’ Boy
Crispy oven-roasted shrimp on a toasted roll with remoulade and all the fixings. A Southern seafood classic that’s easier to pull off at home than you’d think.
Shrimp Rolls
Cool, creamy shrimp salad on a toasted split-top roll. All the appeal of a lobster roll at a fraction of the price. Light, buttery, and perfect for seafood fans.
⭢ What to Serve with Hot Sandwiches
Most of these sandwiches are hearty enough to be dinner on their own, but a simple side or two rounds out the meal nicely. Here are some of our go-to pairings:
Classic sides: A batch of vinegar coleslaw or Southern potato salad goes with just about any hot sandwich on this list. Chips and pickles are always a good call, too.
Something warm: On cooler nights, a cup of tomato soup alongside a melt or a bowl of chili next to sliders makes the whole meal feel extra cozy.
Heartier options: If you’re feeding a bigger crowd or want something more filling, try potato wedges, sweet potato fries, or a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette.
Whether you’re pulling apart a pan of sliders on game day, piling slow cooker pulled pork on buns for an easy weeknight meal, or keeping it simple with a classic melt, hot sandwiches are one of the easiest ways to get a satisfying dinner on the table. Save your favorites, bookmark this page, and come back anytime you need a little melty, cheesy comfort.
⭢ Related Collections
- Best Chili Recipes
- Dump-and-Go Slow Cooker Recipes
- Old-School Ground Beef Recipes
- Game Day Foods {Real Meals for the Big Game}
⭐️ More Pulled Pork Options → For a twist, try Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork or the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with White BBQ Sauce.