Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 8 slices of rye bread
- 8 slices of Swiss cheese
- Thousand Island dressing (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and shape them into patties. Season each patty with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Once the skillet is hot, add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Place the beef patties in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove the patties from the skillet and set them aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and the thinly sliced onions. Cook the onions over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and caramelized, about 10-15 minutes.
- Assemble the patty melts: Take one slice of rye bread and place a slice of Swiss cheese on it. Place a cooked beef patty on top of the cheese, then add a spoonful of caramelized onions. Top with another slice of Swiss cheese and another slice of rye bread.
- Repeat this process to make the remaining patty melts.
- Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully transfer the assembled patty melts to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
- Optionally, you can spread Thousand Island dressing on the inside of the bread slices before assembling the patty melts for extra flavor.
- Once the patty melts are cooked, remove them from the skillet and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious Patty Melts!