Ultimate Patty Melts with Special Sauce

This patty melt recipe is phenomenal, but is nothing remotely close to a health food. I highly suggest this for an occasional treat or to accompany some beers, peers, and sports. I've developed this recipe from a combination of other recipes over time and out of practicality based on what was in my kitchen at the time of experiment. I purposely left out Worcestershire and other burger flavorings to keep it simple and not detract from the Thousand Island-like sauce. Serve with french fries or hash browns.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 1242 Calories

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 pound ground beef
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• 6 slices Cheddar cheese
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 6 slices rye bread
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 1 tablespoon real bacon bits
• 1 teaspoon sweet relish

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cover 1 side of each bread slice thoroughly and generously with butter; set aside.

Step 2

Mix ground beef, pepper, salt, and onion powder together in a bowl until thoroughly combined, but do not overmix or meat will not have the proper consistency after it is cooked. Form 3 patties to fit the shape of the bread.

Step 3

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, making sure patties do not break, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and cook until no longer pink in the centers, about 5 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

Step 4

While the burgers are cooking, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, bacon bits, relish, and sugar for sauce in a small bowl. Stir until mayonnaise and ketchup are well binded.

Step 5

Heat another large skillet over medium-low heat. Place 1 slice bread in the skillet, buttered-side down. Top with 2 slices Cheddar cheese, a cooked patty, and 2 slices provolone cheese. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the unbuttered side of a second slice of bread, and place sauce-side down on top of provolone. Repeat to make remaining patty melts, working in batches if necessary.

Step 6

Cook until bread is lightly toasted and cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes per side.