BBQ Cheeseburger Panini

This is an easy, cheap, but delicious sandwich.  My Old School Italian husband loved it!  I really like it because you can customize it to your taste.  You can add veggies or bacon or extra cheese (or all three).  But, it's pretty good plain, too.  You don't even need a fancy panini press!  Here's how ya do it:

BBQ CHEESEBURGER PANINI

1 loaf French bread (or poboy rolls, etc)
Softened butter
1 lb ground beef
Salt and pepper
1/2 onion, diced
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
American cheese (any melty cheese will work)

Brown ground beef with diced onion and Worcestershire sauce.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Drain excess fat.

Stir in BBQ sauce and heat through.

Cut French bread into sandwich sized pieces then slice in half lengthwise.  Spread softened butter on outside of each piece of bread.  Heat a griddle over medium-high heat.  If you don't have a griddle, use a cast iron skillet.

Place bread, butter side down, on the hot griddle.  Add cheese.  Spoon meat mixture on (as much or as little as you like).  Add more cheese, then place the top piece of bread on, butter side up.

Smash the sandwiches down with a spatulta.  Then, place a cookie sheet on top of them and place a heavy skillet on top of the cookie sheet.  This is a makeshift panini press!

Let them toast up for a few minutes then remove skillet and cookie sheet and flip them over.

They should be golden and toasty.  Place the cookie sheet and skillet back on for a few more minutes.  Then they are done!  Easy and so good!

The bread is buttery and crispy.  The cheese is melty and warm.  The meat is savory.  This is one delicious sandwich!  This is a picture of a plain version (my husband and pickiest eater ever son are plain kind of guys).  But, feel free to add whatever you like.  I put fresh sliced tomatoes on mine (YUMMMM!).  Next time I think I'll add basil and mozzarella for a Caprese twist.   Bacon and avocado would be pretty fantastic, too.  Ooh, caramelized onions and peppers!  Or mushrooms!  As you can see, the possibilities are endless.  Who says you need an expensive panini press?  Make these cheap and cheerful paninis for your family and watch them disappear.