Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce

Featured in: Satisfying Hearty Mains

Seasoned beef patties layered with cheddar and provolone cheese on buttery rye bread, topped with bacon-relish special sauce. Takes 30 minutes, serves 3.

Tags: #quick-recipes #beef #bacon #cheese

Clare Greco
Updated on Sun, 08 Jun 2025 12:25:27 GMT
Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce
Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce | recipesbyclare.com
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Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce layer three seasoned beef patties, two cheeses, and a creamy bacon-relish sauce between buttery rye bread. Skillet grilling turns all six bread surfaces golden while cheddar and provolone melt around the beef.

The recipe makes exactly 3 patty melts in 30 minutes, with 15 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. Shape the patties to match the bread, cook them through first, then grill the assembled sandwiches over medium heat.

Cheesy Patty Melt Ingredients

Six rye bread slices, ground beef, six cheddar, six provolone, butter, seasonings, mayonnaise, bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish
Six rye bread slices, ground beef, six cheddar, six provolone, butter, seasonings, mayonnaise, bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish | Recipes by Clare
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For three melts, use 1 pound ground beef, 6 rye-bread slices, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste, 6 cheddar slices, 6 provolone slices, and 6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter.

The special sauce combines ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped bacon pieces, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon relish. Keep these quantities exact so the sauce remains creamy, tangy, and balanced.

How to Make Patty Melts with Special Sauce

Four stages showing three patties cooked, special sauce mixed, three sandwiches layered, and three patty melts grilled
Four stages showing three patties cooked, special sauce mixed, three sandwiches layered, and three patty melts grilled | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Divide 1 pound beef into three equal patties shaped like the rye bread.
  2. Season both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook over medium-high heat for 4–5 minutes per side until cooked through.
  4. Mix mayonnaise, bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish.
  5. Wipe the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and butter one side of all six bread slices.
  6. Place three slices butter-side down. Add 2 provolone, a patty, and 2 cheddar slices to each.
  7. Spread sauce inside the remaining bread and close sauce-side down, butter outside.
  8. Grill until golden; flip and finish until both cheeses melt.

Shape Three Equal Beef Patties

Season Both Sides

Cook for Four to Five Minutes per Side

Mix the Five-Ingredient Special Sauce

Clean and Lower the Skillet Heat

Butter All Six Rye Slices

Layer Provolone, Beef, and Cheddar

Add Sauce to the Top Slices

Grill Until the First Side Is Golden

Flip and Melt the Second Side

Finished cheesy rye patty melts with beef, cheddar, provolone, and special sauce
Finished cheesy rye patty melts with beef, cheddar, provolone, and special sauce | recipesbyclare.com
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Serve the Three Melts Hot

Storage and Reheating

Conclusion

Shape one pound beef into three rye-size patties, season, and cook 4–5 minutes per side. Mix mayonnaise, bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish. Butter one side of six rye slices. Build three melts with 2 provolone slices, one patty, 2 cheddar slices, and sauce each. Grill over medium heat until the first side is golden, flip carefully, and finish until both cheeses melt.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How many patty melts does this recipe make?

It makes exactly three sandwiches from six rye-bread slices.

→ How long do the beef patties cook?

Cook them for 4–5 minutes per side over medium-high heat, until cooked through.

→ What is in the special sauce?

It combines mayonnaise, chopped bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish in the stated quantities.

→ How much cheese goes on each melt?

Layer exactly two provolone slices beneath each patty and two cheddar slices above it.

4.10 from 92 votes

Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce

Preparation Time:
15 Minutes
Cook Time:
15 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
30 Minutes
Number of Servings:
3
Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce
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Buttery rye bread filled with seasoned beef patties, double cheese, and tangy special sauce. Ultimate comfort food sandwich!

Ingredients You'll Need

  • For the patty melts

  • For the special sauce

How to Make It

1.

1. Shape and season patties: Divide ground beef into three equal portions and shape into patties that match the size of your bread slices. Season both sides with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

2.

2. Cook the beef patties: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.

3.

3. Make the special sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, chopped bacon, ketchup, sugar, and relish until well combined.

4.

4. Prepare for grilling: Wipe down the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Spread butter on one side of each slice of rye bread.

5.

5. Assemble the sandwiches: Place three bread slices buttered-side down in the skillet. Layer each with 2 slices provolone, a beef patty, 2 slices cheddar, and spread special sauce on the inside of the remaining bread slices. Top with remaining bread, sauce-side down.

6.

6. Grill until golden: Cook until the bottom bread is golden and cheese starts melting. Carefully flip and cook until the second side is toasted and cheese is fully melted.

7.

7. Serve hot: Remove from skillet, slice if desired, and serve immediately while the cheese is still melty.

Extra Information

  1. The special sauce with bacon and relish adds a unique tangy flavor that perfectly complements the rich cheeses and beef.
  2. Use a sturdy rye bread that can hold up to the juicy patty and melted cheese without getting soggy.
  3. For gluten-free version, substitute with hearty gluten-free bread and ensure all condiments are gluten-free labeled.
  4. Cook on medium heat to ensure the cheese melts completely before the bread burns.

Essential Tools

  • Large skillet
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Spatula for flipping

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten from rye bread
  • Contains dairy from cheese and butter
  • Contains eggs from mayonnaise

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 580
  • Total Fat: 38 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 32 g