Ah, now we’re talking Patty Melt Grilled Cheese Stacks—basically a bold, over-the-top version of a classic patty melt, layered like a tower of cheesy, meaty goodness. Here’s a complete recipe:
Ingredients (makes 2–3 stacks, servings for 2–3)
For the patties:
-
1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
For the sandwich:
-
6 slices of hearty bread (sourdough or rye works best)
-
6–8 slices cheese (Swiss, cheddar, or American)
-
1 small onion, thinly sliced
-
2 tbsp butter
-
2 tsp oil (for sautéing onions)
Optional extras:
-
Pickles
-
Mustard or Thousand Island dressing
Instructions
-
Cook the onions:
-
Heat 2 tsp oil in a skillet over medium heat.
-
Sauté onions until caramelized (8–10 minutes), stirring often. Set aside.
-
-
Make the patties:
-
Form ground beef into 3–4 small, thin patties.
-
Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
-
Cook in the same skillet over medium-high heat 3–4 min per side, until browned and cooked through.
-
-
Assemble the stacks:
-
Butter one side of each bread slice.
-
Place a slice of bread, butter side down, on the skillet.
-
Layer: cheese → cooked patty → caramelized onions → optional pickles → cheese → second patty → top with another slice of bread, butter side up.
-
Press slightly to compact the stack.
-
-
Grill the stack:
-
Cook on medium heat 3–5 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
-
If the stack is tall, cover with a lid while grilling to help the cheese melt without burning the bread.
-
-
Serve:
-
Slice in half carefully; serve immediately with fries, chips, or a pickle spear.
-
💡 Pro Tips:
-
Use thin patties so the stack isn’t top-heavy.
-
Swiss cheese melts well, but a combo of cheddar and American gives gooey stretch plus sharp flavor.
-
Caramelized onions add sweetness that balances the savory beef.
If you want, I can make an even crazier version that stacks 2–3 patties with multiple cheeses and sauces, almost like a burger-meets-grilled-cheese skyscraper. It’s a serious “wow” factor for parties or game day.