Mozzarella Beef Burgers on Ciabatta with Balsamic Tomato Greens

These ciabatta beef burgers bring together a juicy seasoned patty, melted mozzarella and tender browned red onion on golden toasted bread.

A quick balsamic dressing with tomato paste and garlic doubles as the base for a bright side salad of mixed greens, grape tomatoes and dried cranberries, with a little tucked right into each burger for freshness.

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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

1 tablespoon 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 the oven to 400°F or heat a grill to high. 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 until you have about 1/2 teaspoon. In a large bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil and as much of the minced garlic as you like. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Wipe out the pan. If cooking on the stovetop, heat another drizzle of olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. If grilling, skip the oil in the pan.
5. Shape the ground beef into 2 patties slightly wider than the ciabatta. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
6. Cook the patties in the pan or on the grill until just shy of your preferred doneness, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Sprinkle mozzarella over the patties, then cover the pan or grill and cook about 1 minute more, until the cheese melts.
7. Meanwhile, split the ciabatta and toast it in the oven or on the grill until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Halve the grape tomatoes lengthwise.
8. 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.
9. Build the burgers on the toasted ciabatta with the mozzarella-topped patties, browned onion and a small handful of the dressed greens. Serve with the remaining salad on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I cook these burgers on a grill instead of in a pan?

Yes. Heat the grill to high, cook the patties for 2 to 4 minutes per side, then add mozzarella and cover briefly until the cheese melts.

What goes on the ciabatta burgers?

Each burger is layered with a mozzarella-topped beef patty, browned red onion and a small amount of the balsamic-dressed greens.

What is in the balsamic greens?

The salad includes mixed greens, halved heirloom grape tomatoes, dried cranberries and a dressing made with balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

Can the ciabatta be toasted in the oven?

Yes. Split the ciabatta and toast it in a 400°F oven until golden, about 3 to 5 minutes.