Name: Moxies Beaver Creek Restaurants CHEESEBURGER Recipe
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.125 lb ground beef (80/20); 0.125 tsp salt; 0.0625 tsp black pepper; 1 piece yellow American cheese slice; 1 piece soft hamburger bun; 0.5 tsp unsalted butter (softened); 1 tbsp ketchup; 1.25 cups frozen shoestring or thin-cut fries; 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for shallow-frying) or cooking spray (for oven); 0.25 tsp salt

Method

Cheeseburger

Form and season patty

Divide the ground beef into a roughly 2-ounce (about 56 g) portion (0.125 lb). Gently shape into a 3–3.5 inch diameter patty about 1/2 inch thick, making a slight indentation in the center with your thumb to reduce doming. Season both sides with 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1/16 teaspoon black pepper.

Cook the patty

Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until hot (about 2–3 minutes). Add the patty and cook for 2–2½ minutes without moving to develop a crust. Flip and cook another 1½–2 minutes for a kid-friendly medium-well (internal temp ~160°F/71°C). If you prefer well-done, cook an extra 30–60 seconds. In the last 30 seconds of cooking, place 1 slice of American cheese on the patty and cover the pan briefly to melt (or tent with foil).

Toast the bun

While the patty cooks, spread 1/2 teaspoon softened butter on the cut sides of the bun. When the patty is almost finished, place the bun cut-side down in the skillet for 30–45 seconds until lightly toasted and golden. Remove bun and patty from the pan.

Assemble

Spread 1 tablespoon ketchup on the bottom or top bun as preferred. Place the melted-cheese patty on the bottom bun, then top with the remaining bun half. Serve immediately.

Fries

Oven method (preferred for kids)

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread 1.25 cups frozen fries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toss or spray lightly with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or cooking spray to help crisp. Bake for 12–16 minutes, turning once halfway, until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, tossing gently.

Stovetop shallow-fry method (optional)

Heat 1/4-inch vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F/175°C). Add the fries in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Plate and serve

Place the assembled cheeseburger on a kid-sized plate with the fries. Serve ketchup on the burger and provide extra ketchup on the side if desired.

Cheeseburger Recipe