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Ultimate Patty Melt with Secret Sauce

A delightful comfort food combining juicy beef patties, gooey Swiss cheese, and caramelized onions between crispy rye bread, topped with a secret sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 720
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Patty Melt
  • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean) Ensure flavorful beef for juicy patties.
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced Adds sweetness through caramelization.
  • 2 tablespoons butter For frying and achieving golden crust.
  • 4 slices rye bread Robust base adding flavor and texture.
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese Melty and creamy, perfect for this dish.
For the Secret Sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise Creamy base for the secret sauce.
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup Adds sweetness to the sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon mustard Provides a zesty kick.
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Enhances overall flavor profile.
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Adds subtle smokiness.
  • to taste salt and pepper Essential for seasoning the patties.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Sauté the onions in a medium skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat until golden and caramelized, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. While the onions are cooking, form the ground beef into two large patties, seasoning both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. Heat a skillet or grill over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach desired doneness.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to make the secret sauce.
  3. Butter one side of each rye bread slice and toast them briefly in the skillet if desired.
Assembly
  1. Assemble the patty melt by placing bread slices butter-side-down in the skillet, spreading secret sauce on the unbuttered side of each slice, adding Swiss cheese, the cooked patty, caramelized onions, and another slice of cheese before topping with the second slice of bread.
  2. Grill the assembled sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy with melted cheese.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately with extra secret sauce for dipping.

Notes

For extra flavor, try using higher-quality beef or customize your cheese. You can add sautéed mushrooms or jalapeños, and consider toasting the bread before assembly.