Family Favorite Comfort Food Sandwiches: Beefy Cheesy Melts

Recently one of my adult kids asked about a family favorite sandwich recipe that's been lovingly known as the "Beefy Cheesy Melt".

Essentially her question was along the lines of "where the heck did that even come from?!"  😁 

I'm not sure which one of my kids came up with that name as they were growing up, but it stuck almost immediately, and they've been called this for at least a couple of decades now.  

The fun thing about this super simple recipe is that it was originally inspired by a fun, cultural trend while I was growing up, in the mid 1970's. 

At our local K-mart there was a kiosk style deli right near the check-out lines, called the K-Mart Grill (that literally wasn't a grill at all)  that sold sandwiches, cold salads and a wide variety of items.  This was long before all the chain sub sandwich shops, so this was the closest we had to deli style sandwiches. Our family favorite was the honey ham and cheese on a toasted bun. It was SO good!

Fast forward a couple of decades (with a houseful of little people myself), I decided to make my own homemade version of these simple sandwiches for a fraction of the cost but also to snazz it up a little bit. (Spoiler alert, it worked brilliantly). Everyone loved them, and they instantly became a family favorite and are still requested to be added to the weekly dinner menu!

Without further delay here is the recipe:

BEEFY CHEESY MELT SANDWICHES (makes 6 sandwiches)

Pre-heat oven to 400.

6 Toasted Onion Buns*

Mustard spread (any style, hot, honey, etc.)

2 Lbs. Deli Thin Sliced Roast Beef - any style 

6 slices sharp cheddar cheese (or Pepper Jack, or any favorite cheese)

6 Foil squares (12"x12" foil for wrapping sandwiches)

DIRECTIONS:

*If you cannot find onion buns at your local bakery, shame on them, but also: use any favorite sandwich buns and loads of carmelized or crispy onions. 

Split each sandwich bun in half.  Apply mustard spread on each side.

Split roast beef slices 6 ways & layer onto buns. Top with cheese, onions (if using) then the top bun. 

Wrap tightly in foil - set aside on baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, flipping wrapped sandwiches at the 10 minute mark.

Serve with Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Baked French Fries or any side you prefer.