Caramelized Onion Patty Melt Recipe

patty melt with caramelized onions and melting cheese

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Caramelized Onion Patty Melt Recipe

This recipe for patty melts is just like the diner classic sandwich. Layer juicy burgers with caramelized onions and gooey melty cheese between slices of bread, Press in a panini or saute in a pan to a crispy golden brown.

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time45

Course: entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: patty melt, patty melts, recipe for patty melt

Servings:

Calories: 735kcal

Author: Amy Casey

Equipment

panini press

Ingredients

6 tablespoons salted butter divided
1 large Vidalia onion thinly sliced
Kosher salt
Pepper
1 ½ pounds ground beef
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
8 slices bread - my favorites are rye and sourdough
8 to 12 slices of cheese - provolone cheddar, American, and pepper jack are good options

Instructions

Heat a large sauté pan over medium low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and the thinly sliced onion. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté for 20 to 25 minutes or until the onions a softened and are golden brown. Remove from the pan to a plate and cover with foil.
In a bowl, add the ground beef, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce. Form into 4 patties.
Heat the same sauté pan to medium high heat add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter has melted and begins to foam, add the burgers. Depending on the size of your pan, it may be necessary to cook the patties in batches. Cook the burgers for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan to a plate.
Butter one side of each slice of bread.
For each patty melt, place two slices of bread butter side down on a work surface.
Top one slice of bread with a slice of cheese.
Place the burger on top of the cheese.
Put ¼ of the caramelized onions on top of the burger.
Top the onions with another slice of cheese.
Place the remaining slice of bread butter side up with the cheese.
Heat the sauté pan or panini press to medium heat.
Cook the patty melts until lightly brown on each side and the cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes for each side.
Remove from pan and cut in half and serve.

Notes

The key to perfectly caramelized onions is to cook them in butter and low and slow. If you cook them too quickly over too high a heat, they with burn.
Use an assembly line to put the patty melts together. Butter one side of each slice of bread. Top half of the slices of bread with a slice of cheese. Add extra cheese if you like your sandwiches extra cheesy. Top the cheese with a burger and some of the caramelized onions. Add another slice a cheese and the top with a slice of buttered bread.
Use either a panini press or a sauté pan to toast the patty melts a delicious golden and crispy brown.

Nutrition