The cheeseburger is a classic American meal that has been criticized for contributing to obesity. Its inventor is debated, but it remains a popular indulgence with many variations. Healthier options include using ground turkey and low-fat cheese. Parents have created similar dishes for children, such as the Cheeseburger Casserole and Spaghetti Cheeseburgers.
A cheeseburger, a hamburger topped with a slice of cheese, is often considered part of the classic American meal. While this sandwich is often criticized as a major contributor to the obesity epidemic in the United States, it’s an indulgence that doesn’t appear to be disappearing in the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a bit of debate as to who deserves credit for inventing the cheeseburger. According to Time magazine, Lionel Sternberger invented the cheeseburger in 1924 when he was a high school student working part-time at his father’s grill in Pasadena, California. However, Kaelin’s Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky and Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-In in Denver, Colorado also claim to have invented this American favorite.
Cheeseburgers are available from a variety of sources, but finding a burger that suits your tastes may require some experimentation. The cheeseburgers served at fast food restaurants such as McDonalds or Burger King and the pre-baked oven-cooked burgers available at gas stations or grocery stores are convenient, but they are in an entirely different culinary class than homemade cheeseburgers cooked by amateur chefs at backyard barbecues or specialty burgers served at some upscale restaurants across the United States.
While a simple cheeseburger consists of a bun, ground beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, this sandwich leaves plenty of room for creativity. Experimenting with additions like mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and mayonnaise can help add a different flavor to your burger. A bacon cheeseburger is also a popular variation, as are burgers that use mozzarella, pepper, and other specialty cheeses. The “Juicy Lucy” – a cheeseburger in which the cheese is stuffed into the raw meat patty before cooking – is another fun alternative.
If you’re watching your weight, it’s a good idea not to make cheeseburgers a regular part of your diet. However, you don’t have to give up your favorite food completely. Using ground turkey instead of ground beef and substituting low-fat cheeses can make your burger more nutritious. Some people even ditch the cheeseburger bun entirely in favor of a low-carb alternative.
Since the cheeseburger is a popular favorite among young children, enterprising parents have created a number of similar dishes in an effort to add variety to mealtimes. The Cheeseburger Casserole is a one-dish dish that combines ground beef, cream of cheddar cheese soup, cream of mushroom soup, frozen fries, and assorted toppings. Spaghetti cheeseburgers are another kid-friendly dish that uses ground beef, tomato soup, bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.
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