Homemade Ground Beef Grilled Cheese

Finding a satisfying lunch that bridges the gap between a simple sandwich and a hearty meal can feel impossible some days. You want something more filling than plain grilled cheese, but you don’t have the time or energy to cook an elaborate dish from scratch, especially when you’re trying to feed hungry family members who all have different tastes.

Thankfully, this ground beef grilled cheese hits the sweet spot: it’s comfort food at its finest, uses ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, and comes together in just minutes for a meal that feels both familiar and special.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For this grilled cheese, you’ll want to stick with lean ground beef – 90% lean or higher works great since we’re not looking for a lot of extra grease in our sandwich. The 95% lean called for in the recipe is perfect because it gives you plenty of protein without making your bread soggy. If you can only find 85% lean ground beef, that’s fine too, just drain off any excess fat after cooking. Fresh ground beef is always best, but if you’re using frozen, make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking to avoid any extra moisture in your sandwich.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is pretty adaptable, so here are some easy swaps you can make:

• Ground beef: You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or even plant-based ground meat if you prefer. Just cook it the same way, though turkey and chicken might need a bit less cooking time.
• Part-skim mozzarella: Any melting cheese works great here – try cheddar, American, provolone, or even a cheese blend. Just stick to about the same amount for good melting.
• Sara Lee 45 calorie bread: Any bread you have on hand will work fine. Regular white bread, whole wheat, or even sourdough are all good options. The cooking time might vary slightly depending on thickness.
• Yellow onion: White onion, red onion, or even onion powder (use about 1/2 teaspoon) can replace fresh onion if that’s what you have available.
• Worcestershire sauce: If you don’t have Worcestershire, try soy sauce or even a dash of steak sauce for that savory kick.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making ground beef grilled cheese is overcooking the lean ground beef, which can turn it dry and crumbly – since you’re using 95% lean beef, cook it just until it’s no longer pink and remove it from heat immediately.

Another common error is not draining the beef properly before adding it to the sandwich, which can make your bread soggy and cause the cheese to slide around instead of melting nicely.

To get the perfect golden crust without burning, use medium-low heat and be patient – rushing with high heat will char the outside while leaving the cheese unmelted inside.

Make sure to press down gently with your spatula while cooking to help the cheese melt evenly and bind with the beef, creating a cohesive filling that won’t fall out when you take a bite.

What to Serve With Ground Beef Grilled Cheese?

This hearty grilled cheese is basically a meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with a simple side salad or some crispy baked sweet potato fries. Since it’s got that savory ground beef filling, I love serving it with a cup of tomato soup for dipping – it’s like the ultimate comfort food combo! You could also go with some pickle spears on the side for a nice tangy crunch that cuts through all that melted cheese. For something lighter, try pairing it with fresh fruit like apple slices or grapes to balance out the richness of the sandwich.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Your ground beef grilled cheese is best enjoyed fresh and hot, but leftovers can be wrapped in foil or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The bread might get a bit soft, but it’s still good for a quick meal when you’re in a hurry.

Make Ahead: You can definitely prep the ground beef mixture ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just cook the beef with onions and seasonings, let it cool, then store it covered until you’re ready to make your sandwiches.

Warm Up: To bring back that crispy exterior, heat your leftover sandwich in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 2-3 minutes per side. You can also use a toaster oven, but avoid the microwave since it’ll make the bread soggy and won’t give you that nice golden crust.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 420-480
• Protein: 38-44 g
• Fat: 13-17 g
• Carbohydrates: 40-48 g

Ingredients

• 4 oz 95% lean ground beef
• 2 tbsp chopped yellow onion
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 4 slices sara lee 45 calorie white bread
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Step 1: Cook the Ground Beef and Onions

• 4 oz 95% lean ground beef
• 2 tbsp chopped yellow onion
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• salt and black pepper, to taste

Preheat a skillet over medium heat.

Add the ground beef and chopped yellow onion.

Break up the beef with a spatula and brown the mixture, stirring occasionally.

Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess grease from the skillet.

Season the mixture with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste, stirring to combine.

Transfer the cooked beef and onion mixture to a bowl, then wipe out or clean the skillet to prepare it for the next steps.

Step 2: Assemble the Sandwiches

• 4 slices Sara Lee 45 calorie white bread
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• cooked beef and onion mixture from Step 1

Place two slices of bread on a clean work surface.

Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over one slice of bread, then top with half of the cooked beef and onion mixture from Step 1.

Place a second slice of bread on top to form a sandwich.

Repeat this process with the remaining bread, cheese, and beef mixture to create a second sandwich.

I like to gently press the sandwiches to help them hold together before grilling.

Step 3: Grill the Sandwiches

• assembled sandwiches from Step 2

Spray the cleaned skillet with olive oil spray and heat it over medium heat.

Place one assembled sandwich in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Carefully remove the sandwich from the skillet.

Repeat the process with the second sandwich.

For even crispier sandwiches, I sometimes press them gently with a spatula as they cook.

Homemade Ground Beef Grilled Cheese

Delicious Homemade Ground Beef Grilled Cheese recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 8 minutes mins

Cook Time 17 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 4 oz 95% lean ground beef
• 2 tbsp chopped yellow onion
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• 4 slices Sara Lee 45 calorie white bread
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Method

 

1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped yellow onion. Break up the beef with a spatula and brown the mixture, stirring occasionally. Once the beef is cooked through, drain any excess grease from the skillet. Season the mixture with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste, stirring to combine. Transfer the cooked beef and onion mixture to a bowl, then wipe out or clean the skillet to prepare it for the next steps.
2. Place two slices of bread on a clean work surface. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over one slice of bread, then top with half of the cooked beef and onion mixture from Step 1. Place a second slice of bread on top to form a sandwich. Repeat this process with the remaining bread, cheese, and beef mixture to create a second sandwich. I like to gently press the sandwiches to help them hold together before grilling.
3. Spray the cleaned skillet with olive oil spray and heat it over medium heat. Place one assembled sandwich in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Carefully remove the sandwich from the skillet. Repeat the process with the second sandwich. For even crispier sandwiches, I sometimes press them gently with a spatula as they cook.