Quick MOOYAH-Style Smash Burger with Garlic Aioli

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fast and flavorful smash burger topped with melted American cheese and a garlicky aioli sauce, inspired by popular burger joints. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs ground beef (80/20), salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise with 2 minced garlic cloves to make garlic aioli; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Divide 1 lb ground beef into 4 equal balls; season each with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly distributed. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Step 3: Place each ball on the hot skillet and smash down firmly with a spatula to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges are brown and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Flip patties, place 1 slice American cheese on each, and cook an additional 1-2 minutes until cheese melts.
  5. Step 5: Toast 4 burger buns in the skillet with 2 tbsp unsalted butter until golden, about 1 minute per side.
  6. Step 6: Assemble burgers by spreading garlic aioli on bottom buns, then adding lettuce leaves, tomato slices, cheesy patties, 2 dill pickle slices per burger, and topping with the bun tops.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick MOOYAH-Style Smash Burger with Garlic Aioli take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Quick MOOYAH-Style Smash Burger with Garlic Aioli?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef (80/20) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick MOOYAH-Style Smash Burger with Garlic Aioli?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Quick MOOYAH-Style Smash Burger with Garlic Aioli for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Quick MOOYAH-Style Smash Burger with Garlic Aioli?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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