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Classic Patty Melt Recipe with Caramelized Onions
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This Classic Patty Melt with Caramelized Onions brings diner magic to your kitchen, offering an irresistible comfort food experience for a quick, hearty weeknight dinner. It combines sizzling beef and sweet onions with golden-crisp rye bread and perfectly melted cheese.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 2 large yellow onions
- 1 loaf rye bread, marbled or light
- 8 slices Swiss or Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 tbsp butter or oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: Thinly slice 2 large yellow onions. Melt 2 tbsp butter or oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden brown and very soft (20-30 minutes).
- Prepare Patties: Gently mix 1.5 lbs ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Form into 4 oval patties, about 0.5 inch (1.25 cm) thick, slightly larger than your bread slices.
- Cook Patties: Heat a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness, watching for a browned crust (6-8 minutes total).
- Assemble Patty Melts: Butter one side of each rye bread slice. Place two slices, butter-side down, in your skillet over medium heat. Top each with cheese, a cooked patty, caramelized onions, and more cheese. Top with the second bread slice, butter-side up.
- Grill to Perfection: Cook sandwiches 3-5 minutes per side. The bread should be golden brown and crispy, and cheese gloriously melted and gooey (6-10 minutes total). Press gently for even browning.
- Serve Immediately: Slice in half and serve hot while the cheese is still warm and stretchy.
Notes
Double the onions for extra deliciousness. If patties stick, ensure the pan is hot enough and lightly oiled. Sourdough or white bread can be swapped for rye. If cheese isn’t melting, cover the pan briefly to trap heat. Consider adding Worcestershire sauce to patties or a pinch of sugar to onions for flavor enhancement.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 patty melt
- Calories: 750 calories
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 55 g
- Saturated Fat: 28 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: patty melt, caramelized onions, ground beef, comfort food, weeknight dinner, American, diner, easy sandwich
