The Cheeseburger Oven Sub is a classic that you will want to have often. It’s just too good. This recipe is in the style of how Greco does them. A Delicious Cheeseburger Oven Sub brushed with Garlic Butter and sauced with Pizza Sauce topped with Ground Beef, Bacon and Onions with that beautiful Mozzarella and Provolone Cheese blend and some Cheddar too.
Cheeseburger Oven Sub Ingredients
The Quick Tomato Sauce & Garlic Butter need to be made in advance. The Cheeseburger Ovensub ingredients are;Ovensub Bun (any kind really), Ground Beef, Onion (any kind), Bacon, Mushrooms, Quick Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella & Provolone Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, and Garlic Butter or Garlic Sauce (which is faster to make).
Oven Sub Bread
Greco uses French Style Bread. But any Oven Sub Bread will work. Usually, I pick up the long loaves – Artisan, Baguettes, or Ciabatta. One loaf will give 2 portions. Just cut them in half and then slice them to separate the top from the bottom.
You can also make these on the 6-inch Hoagie buns or Sub Buns.
Garlic Butter
Garlic Butter is one of the secret to making these Fantastic Oven Subs. The Garlic Butter gets brushed onto the bread before the Pizza Sauce goes on.
An even faster Garlic Butter that works pretty well is JAH Garlic Sauce. This can be made up in less than 5 minutes.
Quick Tomato Sauce
A Greco style Cheeseburger Ovensub has a hint of Ketchup in the sauce. Not too much where it’s noticeable. Just enough to give the sauce some lightness. That’s the secret. Yep! Just a touch of Ketchup.
My Homemade Greco Cheeseburger Ovensub makes use of the Quick Tomato Sauce, which already contains the Ketchup as well as additional seasonings that go really well with this oven sub. I created it specifically for this style of Ovensub, and it only takes minutes to put together.
Cheeseburger Ovensub Toppings
The main toppings that go on this style of ovensub is Bacon, Ground Beef and Onions. Although I really do love the addition of seared mushrooms.
Bacon
Use Natural Bacon no flavorings like Maple or use Canadian Bacon or Both. Chop up the Bacon Raw and cook in the skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain out and save the grease for other recipes.
Chopped Bacon
Ground Beef
Cook Ground Beef with a dash of Soy Sauce or Worcestershire Sauce for added flavor over medium heat.
Ground Beef
Onions
While any kind of Onion can be used, I find either Yellow or White the best. The addition of Green Onions on top before serving is very nice.
Onion
Cheese
The Cheese is basically a mix of High Moisture Mozzarella Cheese & Provolone at a ratio of 3:1. For this Cheeseburger Ovensub, we mix in a little Shredded Cheddar Cheese as well. You don’t have to add Provolone, and instead just use Mozza & Cheddar. But that provolone cheese will just add that little something.
How to make a Cheeseburger Ovensub
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 450 F. Prepare the Quick Tomato Sauce & Garlic Sauce, set these aside for now. You can also use the Garlic Butter.
Prepare all your toppings as well.
Cook the toppings
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Drain the grease out and save for other recipes. Set the Bacon aside. Add the Ground Beef and cook until browned. Optionally, with a splash of Soy Sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Add diced Onions and cook for a few seconds to a minute, or add the Onions fresh to the oven subs before they go into the oven. Add the Bacon back into the pan and set aside until ready for assembly.
Garlic Butter
Brush the Sub buns with Garlic Sauce or Garlic Butter.
Quick Tomato Sauce
Brush the desired amount of prepared Quick Tomato Sauce right out to the edges.
Toppings
Top with the cooked toppings.
Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
Fresh Cheeseburger Ovensubs
Place on middle rack and bake for 5 minutes. Broil if additional color is needed.
Garnish with Green Onions, Parsley, Aleppo/Chili Flakes or your favorite Pizza Shake.
Equipment
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 Sub Buns
- As Needed Garlic Sauce - For brushing the bread
- As Desired Quick Tomato Sauce -
- 1 lbs Ground Beef
- 8 strips Bacon - chopped
- 1 Medium Onion - diced
- As Desired Mozzarella & Provolone Cheese Mix (3:1)
- As Desired Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 F. Prepare the Quick Tomato Sauce or Pizza Sauce and the Garlic Sauce, set these aside for now. Prepare your Toppings.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Drain the grease out and save for other recipes. Set the Bacon aside. Add the Ground Beef and cook until browned. Optionally, with a splash of Soy Sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Add diced Onions and cook for a few seconds to a minute, or add the Onions fresh to the oven subs before they go into the oven. Add the Bacon back into the pan and set aside until ready for assembly.
- Place the buns on a baking sheet or pizza screen. Brush the Sub buns with Garlic Sauce, then Quick Tomato Sauce. Sprinkle over top the Beef, Bacon, and Onions and then Cheese Blend.
- Place on middle rack and bake for 5 minutes. Broil if additional color is needed. Garnish with Green Onions, Parsley, Aleppo/Chili Flakes or your favorite Pizza Shake.