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One of the best sandwiches you can make at home.
Cheese Steak Panini with plenty of soft sweet caramelized onions, loads of melty cheese and tender steak piled on toasted bread! Here’s your chance to turn leftovers into an amazing meal the whole family will love.
We had company for dinner this past weekend and grilled steaks soaked our favorite marinade. We made sure we grilled an extra steak or two so we could have left overs. You see I had this sandwich in mind before we grilled the first steak.
I visited Mary at Barefeet in the Kitchen and saw her post a recipe for caramelized onions. That was it for me. I had to have a caramelized onion, steak and cheese panini.
Slice a couple of onions and add them to a small skillet with a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon olive oil. Heated over medium low and season with salt. Cook slowly until onions turn a light brown color and smell sweet. Remove onions to a dish while preparing the rest of the panini.
Thinly slice the steak or grilled chicken. I went to our local Wegman’s grocery store and purchased a loaf of fresh Tuscan Garlic Bread and had it sliced. I also sliced up some Fontina cheese and brought out the olive oil Mayo.
Add the steak to the skillet used to cook the onions. No need to wash the pan between sauteing the onions and meat. Stir fry on medium heat until warmed through. This adds some great flavor and cooks the steak without drying it out.
To assemble spread a little mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Layer the caramelized onions, Fontina cheese and steak. Cook in a small skillet lightly greased with olive oil, or use a panini pan or press. I used a panini pan lightly brushed with olive oil and heated on medium low. Cooking a little slower give the cheese a chance to melt into a delicious pool of creaminess! Sorry I got carried away.
This is the best panini I’ve ever had. There were moans coming from the table as we devoured every single bite. This will be our go-to recipe when left over chicken or steak appear in the refrigerator. I bet you could use good quality deli meat too. Maybe add a thick slice of tomato. I’m making myself hungry. So easy and so delicious. Happy Wednesday!
Cheese Steak Panini with Caramelized Onions
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 2
Course: Main
Sweet soft onions, loads of melty cheese and tender steak piled on toasted bread!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cooked steak, chicken or deli meat, sliced thin
- 3 ounces Fontina cheese, sliced (more if desired)
- 2 medium onions, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 4 slices good quality bread
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra to lightly oil the panini pan
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly until caramel colored. Salt to taste. Spoon caramelized onions into a small dish and set aside. Add the sliced steak to the skillet and saute to heat through.
- To assemble spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Divide the onions, meat and cheese between the two sandwiches. Top with remaining bread.
- Heat a panini press or pan on medium-low and lightly grease with olive oil. Cook panini until bread is lightly browned and cheese is melted. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Nutrition
Calories: 801kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 768mg | Potassium: 796mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 431IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 448mg | Iron: 5mg
Updated November 2021
Barefeet In The Kitchen
Oh. My. Gosh. This looks and sounds amazing. I wasn't terribly hungry when I read this, but now I'm starving! I am going to change up my weekend menu, just so we can make something like this with the onions. YUM!
thecompletecookbook
I love having left over steak for a sandwich of sorts – the idea of caramelised onions is making me smile from ear to ear! I would heap the onions onto the bread and the cheese, oh boy! Magnificent panini!<br />Have a happy day.<br />:-) Mandy
McMGrad89
Tricia, thank you, thank you, thank you. I have these two steaks in the freezer that my husband bought when he was still living "bachelor-like" before we all piled into his two bedroom apartment. (Craziness abounds) Anyway, I now know what to do with two steaks to feed four. You rock.
The Slow Roasted Italian
This looks absolutely delicious. You did warn, but my mouth is watering anyway. : ) YUM.
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow
Tricia, my husband would hurt someone to get this sandwich!! He LOVES a good panini and steak and carmalized onions would be top of the line! I wouldn't mind one myself. I'm just sayin'!<br /><br />Your photos are so beautiful. I'm stashing this for future dreams. blessings ~ tanna