Description
Sizzling with nostalgic diner charm, classic patty melt delivers comfort on a plate, merging juicy beef, caramelized onions, and melted swiss between crispy, buttery rye bread. Homestyle cooking meets gourmet indulgence when you crave a sandwich that speaks straight to the heart.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 6 slices Provolone cheese
- 1 tablespoon real bacon bits
Bread and Seasoning:
- 6 slices rye bread
- 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
Condiments and Spreads:
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon sweet relish
Instructions
- Create a savory ground beef mixture by gently combining black pepper, sea salt, and onion powder with the meat. Avoid overworking to maintain tenderness. Form three patties matching the bread slice dimensions.
- Warm a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 2-3 minutes per side, then reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 5 additional minutes to ensure complete doneness. Flatten any raised centers with a spatula if needed.
- Prepare a zesty condiment by whisking mayo, ketchup, bacon bits, relish, and sugar in a small bowl until well integrated.
- Soften butter at room temperature for smooth, even spreading on one side of each rye bread slice.
- Preheat a second skillet to medium-low temperature. Position a bread slice butter-side down in the pan.
- Layer the sandwich with two cheddar slices, a cooked patty, and two provolone slices.
- Spread prepared sauce on the unbuttered side of another bread slice, then place sauce-side down atop the cheese.
- Toast the sandwich for 2-3 minutes per side until bread turns golden brown and crisp, and cheese melts completely.
- Repeat the assembly and toasting process for remaining sandwiches, ensuring consistent golden-brown coloration and melted cheese.
Notes
- Take bread temperature seriously by letting butter soften at room temperature for smooth, even spreading, preventing bread tears and ensuring perfect golden crispness.
- Handle ground beef gently when mixing and shaping patties to maintain tender texture, avoiding overworking meat which can create dense, tough hamburgers.
- Control skillet heat meticulously during patty cooking, starting medium-high for searing and reducing to low for thorough internal cooking, preventing dry or burnt meat surfaces.
- Create customizable sauce variations by substituting bacon bits with chopped pickles, adding hot sauce for kick, or using Greek yogurt instead of mayo for lighter versions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg