Tender, juicy roast beef coated in rich garlic butter and topped with melted cheese. This easy comfort-food recipe is perfect for a hearty family dinner, holiday table, or satisfying low-carb meal.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting Time: 10–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American-inspired
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Roast Beef
2½–3 lb (1.1–1.4 kg) beef chuck roast, sirloin roast, or top round roast
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
For the Cheesy Topping
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Optional
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ cup beef broth
1 small onion, sliced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
Instructions
1. Prepare the Beef
Remove the roast from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking.
Pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the outside brown properly.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine:
Softened butter
Minced garlic
Italian seasoning
Thyme
Rosemary
Paprika
Onion powder
A little black pepper
Mix until well combined.
3. Season the Roast
Rub the entire roast with olive oil.
Season generously with salt and black pepper.
Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the surface of the beef.
For extra flavor, rub the garlic butter underneath and around the sides of the roast as well.
4. Sear the Beef
Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Place the roast into the hot pan and sear for approximately 2–3 minutes per side, until nicely browned.
Don’t worry about cooking the inside at this stage—the goal is to develop a flavorful crust.
5. Add Optional Vegetables
If using onions and mushrooms, arrange them around the roast.
Pour the beef broth into the bottom of the pan.
You can also add Worcestershire sauce for a deeper savory flavor.
6. Roast
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
Roast until the beef reaches your preferred internal temperature.
For a medium-rare roast, aim for about 135°F (57°C) after resting.
For medium, aim for about 145°F (63°C) after resting.
Cooking time can vary considerably depending on the cut, thickness, and oven, so a meat thermometer is much more reliable than time alone.
7. Add the Cheese
When the beef is nearly finished cooking, remove the pan from the oven.
Sprinkle the top with:
Mozzarella
Cheddar
Parmesan
Return the pan to the oven for approximately 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted.
For a beautifully browned cheese topping, place it under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
8. Rest the Beef
Remove the roast from the oven.
Loosely cover it with foil and let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
9. Slice and Serve
Slice the roast against the grain.
Spoon some of the garlic butter pan juices over the slices.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving, based on 6 servings and depending on the cut of beef and amount of cheese used:
Calories: 560–620 kcal
Protein: 48–52 g
Total Fat: 38–43 g
Saturated Fat: 17–20 g
Carbohydrates: 2–4 g
Fiber: 0–1 g
Net Carbohydrates: 2–4 g
Sugar: 0–1 g
Cholesterol: 150–175 mg
Sodium: 650–850 mg
Note: Nutrition values are estimates. The exact numbers will depend on the beef cut, cheese brands, butter, and amount of salt used.
Dietary Information
High Protein: Yes
Low Carb: Yes
Keto-Friendly: Yes
Gluten-Free: Yes, when using gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and seasonings
Dairy-Free: No
Egg-Free: Yes
Soy-Free: Generally yes, but check cheese and Worcestershire sauce labels
Nut-Free: See allergen information below
Nut & Allergen Information
Does this recipe contain nuts?
No. The basic recipe does not contain peanuts or tree nuts.
It uses:
Beef
Butter
Mozzarella
Cheddar
Parmesan
Garlic
Herbs and spices
Common allergens
Milk/Dairy: Yes — butter, mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan contain milk.
Peanuts: No.
Tree nuts: No ingredients in the basic recipe contain tree nuts.
Eggs: No.
Wheat/Gluten: The basic ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but Worcestershire sauce and seasoning blends should be checked for gluten-containing ingredients.
Soy: Usually no, but check packaged cheese and seasoning labels if avoiding soy strictly.
If preparing this for someone with a severe allergy, check every packaged ingredient for cross-contact warnings.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Roast Beef
Use a meat thermometer
Roast beef can go from perfectly cooked to overdone quickly. An instant-read thermometer gives much better results than relying only on cooking time.
Don’t skip the sear
Searing creates a flavorful browned exterior and makes the finished roast much more delicious.
Use freshly minced garlic
Fresh garlic gives the butter mixture a stronger flavor than garlic powder.
Don’t over-broil the cheese
Cheese can burn quickly under the broiler. Keep a close eye on it.
Slice against the grain
Look at the direction of the muscle fibers and cut across them. This produces more tender slices.
Let the beef rest
Resting is important. Cutting immediately can cause more of the juices to run out of the meat.
Variations
Spicy Garlic Butter Roast Beef
Add ½–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the garlic butter.
Mushroom Garlic Butter Roast Beef
Add sliced mushrooms around the roast during cooking.
French Onion Cheesy Roast Beef
Add caramelized onions underneath the cheese topping.
Extra Cheesy Roast Beef
Use mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan for a richer cheese crust.
Herb Garlic Butter Roast Beef
Add fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, and oregano to the butter.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use chuck roast?
Yes. Chuck roast works very well, but it contains more connective tissue and is usually better suited to longer, slower cooking if you want it fork-tender.
2. Can I use sirloin roast?
Yes. Sirloin is a good choice when you want a roast that can be sliced into tender pieces without the long cooking time required for a traditional pot roast.
3. Can I use pre-cooked roast beef?
Yes. If you’re using cooked roast beef, slice it, coat it with garlic butter, add the cheese, and bake just until the cheese melts. Don’t cook it for the full roasting time.
4. Can I prepare the garlic butter ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare it up to 2 days ahead and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container.
5. Can I make this without Parmesan?
Absolutely. Simply replace it with additional mozzarella or cheddar.
6. What cheese melts best?
Mozzarella gives you excellent stretch, cheddar provides a stronger flavor, and Parmesan adds a salty, savory finish. Using all three gives the best combination.
7. Can I make this recipe keto?
Yes. The basic recipe is very low in carbohydrates and can fit into a keto-style meal.
8. What should I serve with it?
For a low-carb meal, serve it with:
Roasted broccoli
Cauliflower mash
Garlic green beans
Sautéed spinach
Roasted asparagus
Zucchini
For a traditional meal, serve with:
Mashed potatoes
Roasted potatoes
Dinner rolls
Rice
Green beans
9. How should I store leftovers?
Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. Use within 3–4 days.
10. How do I reheat roast beef without drying it out?
Reheat gently in the oven at around 300°F (150°C) with a little beef broth or pan juice, covered with foil. Heat only until warmed through.
11. Can I freeze it?
Yes. Wrap the cooked beef tightly and freeze for up to about 2–3 months for best quality. The cheese texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing.
12. Why is my roast beef tough?
Possible reasons include using a naturally tough cut without enough cooking time, slicing with the grain, or overcooking a lean cut. Choosing the appropriate cut and cooking method is important.
13. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, but the method changes. A chuck roast is particularly suitable for slow cooking. Cook until fork-tender, then transfer it to an oven-safe dish, add the garlic butter and cheese, and broil briefly to melt and brown the topping.
14. Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, or green beans can work well. Add vegetables according to their cooking times so they don’t become overcooked.
15. Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes. Cook the roast, allow it to cool, slice it, and divide it into meal-prep containers with your preferred vegetables. Store refrigerated and reheat gently.