Cheesy Patty Melts With Special Sauce

### Instructions for Making Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce:

#### Step 1: Prepare the Special Sauce
1. In a small bowl, combine the **mayonnaise**, **ketchup**, **Dijon mustard**, **hot sauce**, **Worcestershire sauce**, **garlic powder**, and **onion powder**.
2. Stir the ingredients together until smooth and well-combined.
3. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Set the sauce aside to allow the flavors to meld together.

#### Step 2: Cook the Caramelized Onions
1. In a skillet, heat a little oil or butter over medium heat.
2. Add the thinly sliced **onions** and cook them slowly, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and caramelized—this will take about 15-20 minutes.
3. Once caramelized, remove the onions from the skillet and set them aside. This will give the onions a sweet, deep flavor that perfectly complements the savory patty melts.

#### Step 3: Form and Cook the Beef Patties
1. Divide the **ground beef** into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty. Be sure to press a small indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from puffing up as they cook.
2. Season the patties generously with **salt** and **pepper**.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
4. Once cooked, remove the patties from the skillet and set them aside.

#### Step 4: Toast the Bread
1. In the same skillet, melt **butter** over medium heat.
2. Place two slices of **bread** in the skillet and toast them until golden brown on both sides. Remove the toasted bread from the skillet and repeat with the remaining slices of bread.
3. Once the bread is toasted, add a slice of cheese to each piece while they are still in the pan, allowing it to melt slightly.

#### Step 5: Assemble the Patty Melts
1. On one slice of toasted bread, spread a generous amount of the **special sauce**.
2. Add a cooked **beef patty** on top of the sauce-covered bread.
3. Top the patty with some **caramelized onions**.
4. Carefully place another slice of toasted bread, with the melted cheese side facing down, on top of the patty and onions, creating a sandwich.
5. Repeat this process with the remaining patties, bread, and special sauce.

#### Step 6: Grill the Patty Melts
1. Place the assembled sandwiches back in the skillet over medium heat.
2. Grill the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing them down lightly with a spatula to ensure the cheese fully melts and the bread becomes crispy and golden brown.
3. Once both sides are golden and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the skillet and slice them in half for serving.

#### Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
– Serve the **Cheesy Patty Melts** hot, with extra special sauce on the side for dipping, if desired. Pair with crispy fries, a side salad, or a pickle for a complete meal.

### Tips for Perfect Patty Melts:
– **Don’t overcook the patties**: Since the beef patties are thin, they cook quickly. Avoid overcooking to keep them juicy and tender.
– **Customize the cheese**: While Swiss is a classic choice for patty melts, feel free to swap it for cheddar, American, or a melty blend of cheeses.
– **Use butter generously**: Buttering the bread before grilling is key to getting that crispy, golden exterior, so don’t skimp on it!
– **Add toppings**: You can add extras like crispy bacon, lettuce, or tomatoes if you want to personalize your patty melt further.

### Why You’ll Love Cheesy Patty Melts with Special Sauce:
Cheesy **Patty Melts with Special Sauce** are the perfect combination of juicy beef, melted cheese, savory caramelized onions, and creamy, tangy sauce—all between two slices of golden, crispy bread. The special sauce gives the sandwich a unique twist, making it even more irresistible. This meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, weekend brunch, or even a game-day treat. Once you make these at home, you’ll never want to go back to the standard burger again.

Enjoy this delectable comfort food that’s sure to please everyone at the table!