Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, or whatever temperature your cornbread mix suggests.

Set a deep oven safe skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground meat until it is mostly cooked, then spoon off extra grease if needed.

Add onion and cook until it softens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 5 to 8 minutes so it thickens.

If you are adding cheese, sprinkle it over the sloppy joe mixture now.

Mix up the cornbread batter in a bowl, then gently spread it right over the meat mixture. Use small spoonfuls all over to prevent sinking.

Bake until the cornbread is set and golden, usually 18 to 25 minutes. A toothpick in the cornbread should come out clean or with a few crumbs.

Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to help everything settle and hold together better.