Classic Cheesy Patty Melts with Bacon Special Sauce
Make the ultimate Cheesy Patty Melts! This classic recipe features a seasoned beef patty, melted cheddar and provolone cheese on grilled rye bread, with a delicious homemade bacon special sauce.
Ingredients
(Based on 1x column, makes 3 large sandwiches)
Bacon Special Sauce:
- ▢ ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ▢ 2 tablespoons chopped cooked bacon pieces
- ▢ 3 tablespoons ketchup
- ▢ 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
Patty Melts:
- ▢ 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- ▢ 6 slices rye bread
- ▢ 6 slices cheddar cheese
- ▢ 6 slices provolone cheese
- ▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
1. Prepare Patties and Special Sauce:
- Make Patties: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to overwork the meat. Divide the mixture into three equal portions and shape them into thin, rectangular or oval patties that match the size and shape of your bread slices. Set aside.
- Make Special Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, chopped cooked bacon pieces, ketchup, sugar, and relish until they are well combined. Set the sauce aside.
2. Cook the Patties:
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Place the prepared beef patties in the hot skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through to your desired doneness.
- Remove the cooked patties from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Carefully wipe down the skillet with paper towels to remove excess grease before grilling the sandwiches.
3. Assemble the Patty Melts:
- Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-low.
- Spread the softened butter evenly on one side of each of the 6 slices of rye bread.
- Place three bread slices, buttered-side down, into the warm skillet.
- Immediately layer each slice of bread in the skillet with the following, in order:
- 2 slices of provolone cheese
- 1 cooked beef patty
- 2 slices of cheddar cheese
- Spread the prepared bacon special sauce generously on the unbuttered side of the remaining three slices of bread.
- Place these bread slices, sauce-side down, on top of the cheddar cheese to complete the three sandwiches.
4. Grill the Sandwiches:
- Cook the patty melts over medium-low heat for 4-5 minutes, or until the bottom slice of bread is golden brown and crispy and the cheese has begun to melt.
- Using a wide spatula, carefully flip the sandwiches over.
- Continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes on the second side, until it is also golden brown and crispy, and the cheeses are fully melted and gooey. Press down gently with the spatula as they cook for an even press.
5. Serve:
- Remove the hot, cheesy patty melts from the skillet.
- Let them rest for just a minute before slicing them in half diagonally, if desired.
- Serve immediately while the cheese is still wonderfully melty and the bread is crispy. Enjoy this diner classic!