Recipe✨ Patty Melt Smash Burgers🫶
The other night we had a pound of ground beef to use up and pretty much nothing else. I knew my fiancé was gonna come home hungry from work so I needed to make something filling, and he was over pasta. I know, I know! How can anyone be over pasta, but he was.
I decided on patty melt style smash burger because we had no hamburger buns and my guy loves a good burger. I added bacon that we also needed to use up and two different kinds of cheese. Costco fries in the air fryer and dinner was served!
You’ll Need:
• 1 lb ground beef
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder
• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• 4 slices bread
• 2 tbsp butter
• 4 slices cheese (cheddar, American, or your fave)
• 4 slices bacon
How to Make It:
1. Form ground beef into thin patties (I used parchment paper to press mine flat).
2. Season with garlic powder, Slap Ya Mama, salt + pepper.
3. Cook patties in a hot cast iron skillet ~4-5mins/side. Press for that 🔥 crust.
4. Cook bacon until crispy in another pan.
5. Remove patties, add cheese to melt.
6. Butter both sides of bread + toast like grilled cheese in a pan.
7. Assemble: patty or patties (we used 2 per sandwich), melted cheese, bacon, extra toppings if you want.
✨ Serve with fries & thank me later
Patty melt smash burgers combine the best of both worlds: the juicy, flavorful qualities of smash-style burgers with the comforting, melty goodness of a patty melt sandwich. Using thinly pressed ground beef patties maximizes the crispy, caramelized crust, which is essential for that signature smash burger taste. Seasoning the patties with garlic powder, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, salt, and pepper adds a savory depth of flavor that elevates the burger beyond the basics. An important element of this recipe is the use of bread instead of hamburger buns, which lends that classic patty melt texture and flavor when toasted with butter like a grilled cheese sandwich. This technique results in a golden, crisp exterior that complements the melted cheese—whether cheddar, American, or your favorite kind—and smoky, crispy bacon layered inside. For best results, cook the beef patties in a hot cast iron skillet to create the perfect sear in just 4-5 minutes per side. Pressing the patties during cooking helps form a crust that seals in juices. Meanwhile, cooking bacon separately until crispy ensures the perfect crunch without compromising the burger patties. Serving these patties with crispy fries, such as air-fried fries from Costco, makes for a complete and satisfying meal. The combination of textures—from the crispy fries to the buttery toasted bread and melty cheese—creates an indulgent dinner that can be prepared quickly with minimal ingredients. This recipe highlights how pantry staples can be cleverly utilized to create a flavorful meal. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas or ways to use up ground beef and bacon, patty melt smash burgers offer a crowd-pleasing solution that is both easy and delicious. Experiment with additional toppings like caramelized onions, pickles, or mustard for added flavor layers. Overall, these burgers are a fantastic way to turn simple ingredients into a memorable comfort food experience.
