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Classic Patty Melts

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These Classic Patty Melts are full of sautéed onions, a hamburger patty, swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled rye bread.

classic patty melts sandwich in red basket with fries

Patty Melt Sandwich

This is classic food at it’s best. I might get some grief for saying this, but I’m just going to say it – I think this recipe is BETTER than a regular ol’ hamburger. I’ll take a Patty melt over any burger any day of the week!

Serve this sandwich up with some fries and a dill pickle and you’ve got yourself an easy meal that’s a little different than your typical burger!

cooking onions and forming then cooking beef patty

Patty Melts recipe

  • butter
  • large onion
  • ground beef
  • Salt and pepper
  • Swiss cheese
  • Thousand Island Dressing
  • Rye Bread
how to make and assemble a patty melt

How to make Patty Melts

Time needed: 55 minutes

How to make Patty Melts

  1. Cook onions.

    Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions. Give them a good stir to coat in the butter. Allow to cook for 10 minutes without stirring. With a spatula, flip the onions over so the bottoms is now on top. Allow to cook for an additional 10 minutes without stirring. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir the onions. Allow to cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the onions are caramelized. Remove from the heat and set aside.

  2. Shape meat into patties and brown patties.

    Preheat a pan to high heat. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with the salt and pepper. Handle gently, mixing the seasoning into the meat. Divide and shape the meat into 4 patties. Place burgers in the pan and cook until the bottom is browned and easily releases from the pan. Carefully flip the patties and continue to cook to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate to rest.

  3. Assemble the sandwich.

    Lay the bread out on wax paper. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and top with desired amount of Thousand Island salad dressing. Add a patty to the top of the dressing. Divide the onions between the 4 sandwiches. Top each sandwich with a slice of cheese and the remaining bread slices, butter side up.

  4. Brown each side of the sandwich.

    Place sandwiches in a preheated non-stick pan or griddle. Cook until the bottom slice of bread is browned. Carefully flip the sandwich over and gently press down, cooking until the other side until is browned. Remove the sandwich to a serving plate and slice it in half. Serve with additional Thousand Island if desired.

Recipe Notes

  • If you’re not a fan of rye bread, substitute sourdough bread in its place!
  • For the best results, shape the patty to the same size and shape as the bread.
  • In my opinion, this sandwich is best served with a side of coleslaw, fries, or potato chips – and a dill pickle on the side is a must! 😊
red basket with sandwich and fries

Patty Melts: FAQs

➡️ What to serve with Classic Patty Melts?

In my opinion, this sandwich is best served with a side of coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, fries, or potato chips – and a dill pickle on the side is a must! 😊

➡️ Can this be made ahead?

I think this tastes better fresh. However, the patties can be made ahead and kept chilled.

➡️ How do I store leftovers?

Cooled patty melts can be wrapped and placed in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Additionally, you can wrap the sandwiches in aluminum foil and place them in zip-top bags and freeze them for up to 1 month.

➡️ How do I reheat leftover Patty Melts?

Wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil. Then, reheat in a 375°F oven on a cooling rack placed in a rimmed baking sheet for 15 – 20 minutes. For the last 5 minutes or so of the reheating time, remove the aluminum foil so the bread can crisp up a bit. Additionally, you can microwave the sandwich, but it won’t be as crispy.

➡️ What can I use in place of the rye bread?

Sourdough bread would be the next best option!

looking down into red basket with sandwich and fries

These Classic Patty Melts are a family favorite! If you tried this recipe, let me know your thoughts down in the comments! On a side note, if you have any questions, leave those in the comments as well – I’ll try my best to answer you!

closeup of sandwich

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Click HERE to pin this recipe!
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Classic Patty Melts

Jamie Sherman
These Classic Patty Melts are full of sautéed onions, a hamburger patty, swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on grilled rye bread.
4.34 from 18 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Sandwich
Cuisine American
Servings 4 sandwiches
Calories 561 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • Thousand Island Dressing optional
  • 8 slices Rye Bread
  • Butter for bread

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions. Give them a good stir to coat in the butter. Allow the onions to cook for 10 minutes without stirring. With a spatula, flip the onions over so the bottoms is now on top. Allow to cook for an additional 10 minutes without stirring. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir the onions. Allow to cook an additional 10-15 minutes or until the onions are caramelized. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Preheat a pan to high heat. In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with the salt and pepper. Handle gently, mixing the seasoning into the meat. Divide and shape the meat into 4 patties. Place burgers in the pan and cook until the bottom is browned and easily releases from the pan. Carefully flip the patties and continue to cook to desired doneness. Transfer to a plate to rest.
  • Lay the bread out on wax paper. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Flip 4 slices of bread over and top with the desired amount of Thousand Island salad dressing. Add a patty to the top of the dressing. Divide the onions between the 4 sandwiches. Top each sandwich with a slice of cheese and the remaining bread slices, butter side up.
  • Place sandwiches in a preheated non-stick pan or griddle. Cook until the bottom slice of bread is browned. Carefully flip the sandwich over and gently press down, cooking until the other side until is browned. Remove the sandwich to a serving plate and slice it in half. Serve with additional Thousand Island if desired.

Notes

  • If you’re not a fan of rye bread, substitute sourdough bread in its place!
  • For the best results, shape the patty to the same size and shape as the bread.
  • In my opinion, this sandwich is best served with a side of coleslaw, fries, or potato chips – and a dill pickle on the side is a must! 😊

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 561kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 30gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 517mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 234IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 228mgIron: 4mg

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on February 13, 2013. Updated on October 7, 2020.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda@With A Blast

    I can't get this to pin {tried both ways 🙁 Let me know if it is on my side, I just pinned other stuff, which had gone through :/ } Looks like our type of food ! Now I am hungry again – forgot not to read your posts this early !

    Reply

  2. Terry

    Love a good patty melt! I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. Stop by my blog to check it out. Also, thanks for referring my blog to be nominated.

    Reply

  4. Brenda

    I'm suddenly extremely hungry, Jamie! 😉 Thanks for sharing! Looks delicious!!
    Have a wonderful Valentine's Day 🙂

    Brenda
    ChattingOverChocolate.blogspot.com

    Reply

  5. Carole

    Jamie – fantastic that your link was Number 1 today! Your pattie melt looks mouth watering. I can see I'll be making burgers before the day is out. Cheers

    Reply

  9. Miz Helen

    Hi Jamie,
    What a great Patty Melt, an all time classic! Hope you are having a great Valentine weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply

  16. Michelle

    So…I'm just going to hang my head. Are you ready for this? I have never, ever had a patty melt! I know. How could I have gone through life this long without one?

    I will try to do better 😉

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
4.34 from 18 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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Love Bakes Good Cakes delivers delicious and simple family-friendly meals. Find everything from healthier recipes to over the top desserts!