Description
The Best Chopped Cheese Recipe is a classic New York bodega-style sandwich featuring flavorful ground beef cooked with onions and spices, melted American cheese, and fresh toppings served on toasted hoagie rolls. This easy stovetop recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying street food experience in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 slices American cheese
- 2 hoagie rolls or hero buns, toasted
- ½ cup shredded lettuce
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- Ketchup and mayonnaise to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the onions: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes.
- Melt the cheese: Once cooked, shape the meat into two portions in the pan and top each with two slices of American cheese. Let the cheese melt over the meat for 1–2 minutes.
- Chop and mix: Use a spatula to chop and mix the meat and cheese together thoroughly to create the signature chopped cheese texture.
- Assemble the sandwich: Open the toasted rolls and spread mayonnaise and ketchup as desired. Pile the cheesy beef mixture into each roll.
- Add toppings and serve: Top each sandwich with shredded lettuce and tomato slices. Serve immediately while hot for the best taste.
Notes
- For an authentic New York bodega-style chopped cheese, use a flat-top griddle if available.
- You can also add pickles, jalapeños, or hot sauce for extra flavor.
- Swap American cheese with cheddar or provolone if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
