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Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef Melt served on a plate with toppings

Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef Melt

A quick and comforting sandwich with seasoned ground beef and gooey cheese, perfect for weeknight dinners and game-day snacking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course, Sandwich
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the beef filling
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20) The fat gives the best flavor and prevents dryness.
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
For the sandwich assembly
  • 4 slices cheese (cheddar or American) Both melt well.
  • 4 slices bread (white, sourdough, or sandwich loaf)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Optional toppings
  • lettuce
  • tomato
  • pickles

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a skillet over medium. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Break the beef into small pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is evenly browned and the onion is translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning. Remove the skillet from heat and set the beef mixture aside.
  3. Spread softened butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
Cooking
  1. Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, in a clean skillet preheated to medium.
  2. Pile half of the beef mixture onto the bread in the skillet. Arrange two slices of cheese over the hot beef.
  3. Top with the second slice of bread, buttered side up. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Flip the sandwich carefully and cook until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted, another 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Transfer the sandwich to a cutting board. Let it rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve warm with optional toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 50gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g

Notes

Use leaner beef if preferred, but expect drier filling; consider adding a splash of beef broth to keep it moist. Try sliced provolone or Monterey Jack for different melting profiles. If you like more spice, add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper or a squirt of hot sauce.

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