Description
Get ready to bite into the ultimate comfort food: Patty Melts with Secret Sauce! This recipe brings together juicy ground beef, caramelized onions, perfectly melted cheddar, and crispy golden rye bread—all tied together with a tangy, creamy homemade sauce. Whether you’re looking for an easy dinner, quick lunch idea, or indulgent snack, this patty melt delivers big flavor fast. It’s one of the best quick dinner ideas, and if you’re into easy recipes and classic food ideas with a twist, this one’s for you.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 slices rye bread (or sourdough/thick white)
2 tbsp butter, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp pickle juice
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, garlic powder, and paprika until smooth. Set aside.
2. In a skillet over medium-low heat, cook the onions with a little butter for 20–25 minutes until deeply caramelized.
3. Divide the ground beef into 2 thin, wide patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
4. Cook patties in a hot skillet for 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
5. Spread secret sauce on one side of each slice of bread.
6. Layer cheese, patty, onions, and more cheese between bread slices, sauce side in.
7. Butter the outer sides of the sandwiches.
8. Grill in a skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
9. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Notes
Let patties rest after cooking to keep them juicy.
Don’t rush the onions; true caramelization takes time and brings deep flavor.
Use a cast iron skillet for extra crispy, evenly browned bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 110mg