Ciabatta Mozzarella Burgers with Sweet Onions and Balsamic Tomato Greens

These ciabatta mozzarella burgers bring together a juicy beef patty, a blanket of melted cheese and sweet browned red onion on crisp, toasted bread.

A simple balsamic-tomato dressing doubles as the flavor base for a bright side salad with mixed greens, grape tomatoes and dried cranberries.

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Ingredients

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 tablespoon Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 teaspoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Ciabatta BreadView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Heirloom Grape TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Mixed GreensView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Dried CranberriesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry the produce. Preheat an oven or toaster oven to 400°F. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion.
2. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sugar. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the onion is browned and softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then transfer to a plate.
3. While the onion cooks, mince or grate the garlic. In a large bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil and garlic to taste. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
4. Wipe out the pan used for the onion. Heat another drizzle of olive oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Shape the ground beef into 2 patties slightly wider than the ciabatta. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
5. Add the patties to the hot pan and cook until just shy of your preferred doneness, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the patties, cover the pan and cook until the cheese melts, about 1 minute more.
6. Split the ciabatta breads in half. Toast them in the oven or toaster oven until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, halve the grape tomatoes lengthwise.
7. Add the mixed greens, halved tomatoes and dried cranberries to the bowl with the balsamic dressing. Toss to coat, then season with salt and pepper.
8. Build the burgers on the toasted ciabatta with the mozzarella-topped beef patties, sweet onions and a few dressed greens. Serve with the remaining balsamic tomato greens on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

What makes these mozzarella burgers different from a regular cheeseburger?

They are served on toasted ciabatta and topped with mozzarella, sweet browned red onion and a few balsamic-dressed greens for a brighter flavor.

How do I melt the mozzarella evenly on the patties?

Sprinkle the mozzarella over the nearly cooked patties, then cover the pan for about 1 minute. The trapped steam helps the cheese soften and melt.

Can I toast the ciabatta in a toaster oven?

Yes. The recipe works with either a toaster oven or a standard oven set to 400°F. Toast the split ciabatta until golden, about 3 to 5 minutes.

What is served with the burgers?

The burgers are served with mixed greens, grape tomatoes and dried cranberries tossed in a balsamic, tomato paste, olive oil and garlic dressing.