Description
A delicious cheesy beef melt made with ground beef, cheese, and sturdy bread that is toasted to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 slices of bread (thick, sturdy bread like sourdough or Texas toast)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheeses like mozzarella and Monterey Jack)
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- Optional: sliced pickles, mustard, or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor
Instructions
- Cook the Beef Mixture: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and add the chopped onion. Sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
- Season and Blend: Once the beef is cooked, stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes so the flavors meld together. You want a slightly saucy, flavorful mixture—not too dry, not too wet.
- Prep the Bread and Cheese: Butter one side of each bread slice. On the unbuttered side, layer shredded cheese, a generous scoop of the ground beef mixture, then more cheese. Top with another bread slice, buttered side out.
- Toast and Melt: In a clean skillet or griddle over medium-low heat, toast each sandwich until golden brown on both sides and the cheese has fully melted. Press lightly with a spatula to help the cheese melt into the beef and the bread crisp up evenly.
- Slice and Serve: Let each melt rest for a minute before slicing. Serve warm with pickles, a drizzle of mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider sautéing mushrooms or adding jalapeños to the beef mixture.
- These melts can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven for a quick snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: lunch
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg