Italian-Style Ciabatta Burgers with Mozzarella and Balsamic Arugula Salad

These Italian-style ciabatta burgers are a delicious twist on the classic American burger. Crusty ciabatta rolls hold juicy beef patties topped with melted mozzarella cheese, sweet caramelized red onions and a vibrant arugula salad tossed in a tomato-balsamic vinaigrette. Every bite is a perfect balance of savory, tangy and sweet.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual weekend meal. The combination of warm, melty cheese and the fresh, peppery arugula salad creates a satisfying contrast that will have everyone coming back for more.

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Ingredients

8 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Ciabatta BreadView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce ArugulaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Tomato PasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce 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. 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, tossing occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside. For a bolder flavor, add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to the pan after caramelizing and reduce on low until syrupy.
2. Mince ½ teaspoon of garlic. In a large bowl, whisk together ½ 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 and 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 to your liking. Top each patty with mozzarella cheese. Cover the pan and cook for another minute until the cheese melts.
4. While the burgers cook, halve the ciabatta rolls. Place them in the oven to toast for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden.
5. Toss the arugula into the prepared vinaigrette until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Place each burger patty on a toasted ciabatta bun. Top with caramelized onions and a bit of the dressed arugula salad. Serve the remaining salad on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different cheese instead of mozzarella?

Yes, provolone or fontina would also work well. For a sharper flavor, try aged cheddar.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the ciabatta rolls with your favorite gluten-free burger buns and ensure the other ingredients are gluten-free.

How do I store leftovers?

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