Classic Ultimate Cheesy Ground Beef Melt
This recipe features seasoned ground beef blended with melted cheddar cheese, served on toasted bread or buns. It's a quick and satisfying meal, perfect for a hearty lunch or casual dinner. Optional toppings let you customize every bite.
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Ground Beef Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- to taste Salt start with 1/2 teaspoon
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato paste for a deeper flavor
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or a blend of your favorite melting cheeses
For Serving
- 4-6 slices of bread sourdough, brioche, or a sturdy white bread work well
- 4-6 hamburger buns
- Optional toppings sliced pickles, caramelized onions, jalapeños, mustard
Optional Toppings
- sliced pickles
- caramelized onions
- jalapeños
- mustard
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until fully browned; drain excess grease.
- Reduce heat to medium, add diced onion and cook until softened. Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper; cook for one minute until fragrant.
- Pour in beef broth (or water), Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup (or tomato paste). Simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing the sauce and melding flavors; adjust salt as needed.
- Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and smooth, coating the beef mixture.
- Toast bread or buns. Spoon the cheesy ground beef onto toast/bottom bun. Add desired toppings, then cap to serve immediately.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices.