Chopped Cheese Sandwich

This bodega-style sandwich chops seasoned ground beef together with softened onions and peppers right in the skillet, then piles it all onto a toasted roll with melted American cheese. Chopping everything together with a spatula as it cooks is what gives the sandwich its name and its signature mixed texture. A swipe of mayo, mustard, or hot sauce on the bread rounds it out.

Ground beef, onions, and peppers are chopped together in the skillet and piled onto a toasted roll with melted cheese.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fast: ready in about 25 minutes (10 min prep, 15 min cook)
• Simple: 11 everyday ingredients
• Feeds the family: 2 servings
• Light: about 592 calories per serving

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 small green bell pepper (thinly sliced)
• 4 slices American cheese (or your preferred cheese)
• 2 small sub rolls or hero rolls (split)
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Mustard (optional)
• Ketchup (optional)
• Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes, draining excess fat if needed.
2. Push the beef to one side of the skillet and add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the other side, cooking and stirring occasionally until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix the cooked onions and peppers with the ground beef, using the edge of the spatula to chop and combine everything together in the skillet, continuing to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to blend the flavors.
4. Meanwhile, toast the split rolls in a toaster oven or under the broiler until lightly golden.
5. If desired, spread mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, or hot sauce on the toasted rolls.
6. Divide the chopped beef mixture evenly among the rolls.
7. Place 2 slices of American cheese on top of each sandwich while the beef mixture is still hot, letting it melt slightly, then close and serve immediately while warm.

Cooking Tips

• Chop the beef finely with the spatula edge for the classic chopped cheese texture.
• Toast the rolls while the filling cooks to save time.
• Add the cheese while the beef mixture is still hot so it melts in properly.

Substitutions

• Ground turkey can replace ground beef for a leaner sandwich.
• Any melting cheese, like cheddar or provolone, can replace American cheese.
• Hero or hoagie rolls can replace sub rolls.

Storage

• Best eaten fresh, since the bread can turn soggy if assembled ahead of time.
• Store leftover beef mixture separately in the fridge for up to 3 days and assemble sandwiches fresh.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with chips or fries on the side.
• Add lettuce and tomato for extra freshness.
• Cut in half for easier eating.

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	592 kcal

You Might Also Like

• Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad
• Deli Roast Beef Sandwich
• Roasted Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad
• Muffaletta Sandwich
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap
• Easy Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap