Grilled Cheese Smashburger

Directions

1. SPREAD butter evenly over one side of each of the bread slices. Flip the bread over so the buttered side is down and spread your favorite condiment(s) on the dry side of the bread. Top with a very thin layer of pickles, onion, and tomatoes, if desired.

2. DIVIDE beef into two 2-ounce balls.

3. HEAT a medium (10-inch) cast iron or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Place beef balls in the skillet and smash down using a metal spatula, then another wooden spoon or tongs to press on the metal spatula to make sure the beef is as flat as possible. Generously season with salt and pepper.

4. COOK the patties until crisp on the edges and browned in the center, about 1 minute. Using a metal spatula, flip the burgers, scraping up any of the browned edges. Immediately top each burger with a slice of cheese.

5. PLACE the cheese-topped patties on the bread slices and form into a sandwich. Place the whole sandwich, buttered bread-side down, into the hot pan. Cook, pressing lightly down on the sandwich, until lightly browned, about 30 seconds. Flip and continue cooking until browned on the other side, about 15 seconds more.

6. SERVE the grilled cheese smashburger immediately!