Slow Cooker Ground Beef French Dip Sandwiches

 Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• ½ cup quick-cooking oatmeal

• 1⅓ cups beef broth

• 1 (1 ounce) envelope beefy onion soup mix

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 6 slices provolone cheese

• Buns (such as brioche or slider rolls)

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and sliced onions until the beef is fully cooked. Drain off any excess grease.

2. Transfer the beef and onion mixture to a slow cooker. Add the oats, beef broth, onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

3. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours.

4. About 15–20 minutes before serving, place the provolone cheese over the top of the meat mixture. Cover again and let the cheese melt.

5. Serve the beef mixture on buns, spooning the juices from the slow cooker over the sandwiches if desired.

Variations

• Meat: Substitute shredded steak for ground beef for a different texture.

• Vegetables: Add sliced bell peppers or mushrooms when cooking the beef and onions. Caramelize the onions beforehand for deeper flavor.

• Spice: Mix in sliced jalapeños or banana peppers. Drizzle horseradish sauce or spicy mustard on the buns.

• Cheese: Swap provolone for American, mozzarella, or Swiss.

• Bread: Use garlic bread, French bread, or a baguette instead of traditional buns.

• Seasoning: Add Italian herbs and spices to the beef mixture for a different flavor profile.