Description
Easy Patty Melts offer a comforting and quick-to-make classic sandwich with juicy beef patties, melted cheese, and caramelized onions on toasted rye bread. Perfect for any meal, these sandwiches have a crispy golden crust and a savory, flavorful inside, making them a simple yet indulgent choice for lunch, dinner, or a hearty snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 to ensure juicy patties)
- 4 slices Rye Bread
- 4 slices Swiss or Cheddar Cheese
- 1 large Onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Butter (for cooking and toasting)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Thinly slice the onion. In a pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally until they turn a deep golden brown and develop a sweet aroma, about 15 minutes.
- Shape and Season the Patties: Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and form into patties slightly larger than your bread slices. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each patty for about 3-4 minutes per side for medium doneness. Just before finishing, place a slice of cheese on each patty and cover briefly to melt the cheese.
- Toast the Bread: Butter one side of each rye bread slice generously. Using a separate pan or the same skillet emptied and wiped, toast the bread butter-side down until golden brown and crisp.
- Assemble and Finish: Layer each patty with melted cheese and caramelized onions between two slices of toasted bread, buttered side out. Return the sandwich to the pan, press gently, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until both sides are extra crisp and cheese is fully melted.
Notes
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking patties; cook in batches if needed for even browning.
- Cook onions low and slow to fully caramelize and bring out their sweetness.
- Butter the bread generously to achieve a rich, crispy crust.
- Use slightly stale or thicker bread slices to prevent sogginess.
- Press sandwiches gently during the final cook to meld flavors and improve texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg