Pizza Chopped Cheese

Here is another variation on the incredible Chopped Cheese Sandwich, inspired by Doug from Griddle Eat Cook and More!

There are just as many different ways to do this as there are different kinds of pizza.  Here is how we did it!

Things to know:

What are the ingredients in chopped cheese?

This recipe is a variation on the classic NYC chopped cheese sandwich.  A classic NYC chopped cheese features seasoned ground beef cooked with diced onions, melted American cheese, and served on a toasted hero or hoagie roll, typically topped with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, mayonnaise, and sometimes ketchup. Key ingredients are ground beef, yellow onion, American cheese, hoagie/hero rolls, and fresh toppings like lettuce and tomato, with seasonings like garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

What are some common mistakes when making chopped cheese?

Common mistakes when making a chopped cheese include using the wrong seasoning (missing Adobo/Sazón), not draining excess fat from the beef, using crusty bread instead of a soft hero roll, forgetting to butter and toast the bun, adding too much or too thin cheese, and skipping the crucial final step of wrapping it in foil to steam and meld the flavors.

What kind of bread is used for chopped cheese?

In a chopped cheese sandwich, the classic choice of bread would be to use a long roll such as a hoagie or hero roll. It’s not set in stone, though. The important thing is that it’s a soft bread rather than a crusty one. You can alternatively use a brioche bun or a potato bun.

Why is the chopped cheese so popular?

Inter-borough rivalry and hip-hop mythology bred a sub-culture around chopped cheese, but its appeal also seems to have sprung from practical concerns, such as price point. “It costs less than a cheesesteak,” says Barry, a Harlem resident.