Ciabatta Burgers with Mozzarella and Balsamic Onion Salad

Put a delicious Italian spin on the classic burger with crusty ciabatta rolls, juicy beef patties and melted mozzarella cheese. Sweet caramelized onions and a bright tomato-balsamic vinaigrette tie everything together for a mouthwatering meal.

The ciabatta bread is sturdy enough to hold all the fillings while soaking up the flavorful vinaigrette. With a simple side salad tossed in the same dressing, every bite is packed with sweet, tangy and savory goodness.

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Ingredients

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Ciabatta BreadView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce Mixed GreensView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

unit PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and 1 teaspoon sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside. For extra flavor, add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to the pan after caramelizing and cook until syrupy.
2. Mince or grate 1/2 teaspoon garlic. In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Form the ground beef into two patties, about 1/2-inch thick. Season both sides with salt and pepper. In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 2-4 minutes per side until almost cooked through. Top each patty with mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan and cook for 1 minute more until the cheese melts.
4. While the burgers cook, halve the ciabatta rolls. Place them cut-side up on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Add the mixed greens to the bowl with the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Place each burger on a toasted ciabatta roll. Top with caramelized onions and a small amount of the dressed salad. Serve the remaining salad on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, provolone or fontina would work well as substitutes for mozzarella.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free ciabatta or your favorite gluten-free burger buns.

How do I store leftovers?

Store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the patties in a pan and assemble fresh.