Mushroom Cheeseburger Subs

During the months of July and August, my house heats up to about 85 degrees by 4pm (yep, no air conditioning). It's the kind of oppressive heat that saps all the energy out of you. The last thing I want to do is spend any amount of time cooking. Baking in the summer is avoided altogether. I revert to recipes that can be made in a crock pot, or on the grill or stovetop and the recipes I do make take very little time.

These Mushroom Cheeseburger Subs are fast, easy and tasty. They fill tummies and still keep the kitchen from heating up too much.

Mushroom Cheeseburger Subs
Serves 4

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 TBS brown sugar
• 1 TBS tomato paste
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (approximately 1 TBS)
• 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper

You only need half of this. I usually make a full batch and freeze what I don't use. The leftover sauce can be used to make Marinated Steak Subs.

Sandwich Ingredients:

• 1 lb Ground Beef
• 1 Medium Onion, sliced - in halves, not rings.
• 1 small can button mushrooms (or sliced fresh button mushrooms)
• Cheese of your choice - about 4 - 6 ounces, grated. I usually use Monterey Jack or Sharp Cheddar.
• 4 Sub Rolls - split but not cut all the way through. Toasted if desired.
• Sandwich toppings - mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, etc.

Directions:

1. Combine all sauce ingredients and mix well. 
2. Heat skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef. Drain off any grease.
3. Add onion slices and cook until clear.
4. Add mushrooms and cook until heated through.
5. Add sauce to the ground beef mixture.
6. Turn down heat.
7. Divide beef mixture into four sections in the skillet. Place 1/4 of the grated cheese on top of each section. Place lid on skillet and keep covered until the cheese is just melted.
8. Serve one section of beef and cheese mixture on each sub roll. Top as desired.

Serve with choice of sides. Here, we opted for Homemade Potato Chips with bleu cheese dressing for dipping. Enjoy!