Savory Patty Melt Casserole – This Savory Patty Melt Casserole takes all the flavors of a classic patty melt and turns them into a comforting, easy-to-make casserole. With layers of toasted bread, seasoned ground beef, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and a rich Thousand Island dressing mixture, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings. This dish brings together the classic taste of a patty melts in a format that’s easy to bake and share!
The first time I made this casserole, I wasn’t sure how my family would feel about having their favorite patty melt as a casserole, but it ended up being a hit! My husband loved the rich flavors, and my child, who usually picks apart sandwiches, loved the cheesy goodness in every bite. This dish quickly became a favorite, especially for cozy dinners when we wanted something warm, filling, and full of flavor. Now, it’s on regular rotation in our house, and I get requests for it all the time!
What makes this Savory Patty Melt Casserole truly special?
This casserole is a unique spin on a classic patty melt, combining all the best parts into a layered, cheesy dish that’s easy to serve. It has everything you love about a patty melt: juicy ground beef seasoned with Worcestershire, caramelized onions, melty Swiss cheese, and the tangy, creamy touch of Thousand Island dressing. Plus, with the crispy breadcrumb topping, it has a great texture contrast. It’s the perfect balance of savory and comforting, and because it’s baked in a single dish, it’s super easy to throw together and serve.
What You Need To Make This Savory Patty Melt Casserole Recipe?
Each ingredient here has its own role, and together they make a casserole that’s cozy, hearty, and packed with everything you love about a classic patty melt.
Bread: For this recipe, white or sourdough works great! The bread forms the base, soaking up all those delicious flavors. Chopping some into chunks gives you a hearty layer, while making breadcrumbs out of the rest gives that crispy, golden topping. It’s like the best of both worlds in every bite.
Ground Beef: Go with an 80/20 ground beef here if you can. It has just the right amount of fat to keep the meat juicy without making the casserole greasy. Plus, when it’s cooked with the seasoned salt and Worcestershire, it brings all those comforting patty melt flavors.
Seasoned Salt: Adds a little something extra to the beef, giving it a savory boost without needing a bunch of extra spices. It’s simple but does wonders to round out the flavors.
Worcestershire Sauce: A splash of this adds depth and a subtle umami taste to the ground beef. It’s one of those “can’t quite put your finger on it” flavors that really pulls everything together.
Onions: Caramelized onions bring out that classic patty melt sweetness. Cook them low and slow to get them nice and soft—they add so much flavor here that it’s worth the extra time!
Swiss Cheese: This is the classic patty melt cheese! Swiss melts beautifully and has a mild, nutty flavor that works perfectly with the beef and onions. It’s melty, gooey, and just plain satisfying.
Thousand Island Dressing: Adds a creamy, tangy layer to balance out the rich cheese and beef. It’s that little bit of dressing that gives this casserole its signature patty melt taste.
Milk and Eggs: This combo makes the casserole wonderfully creamy and helps set everything so it holds its shape. Think of it as the “binder” that brings all these delicious layers together.
Butter and Breadcrumbs: Melted butter mixed with breadcrumbs on top gives you that toasty, golden crust that’s the finishing touch. It’s all about that crispy top layer for a little texture and flavor boost!
Steps To Make Savory Patty Melt Casserole:
Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F and grease up a 9×13-inch baking dish so nothing sticks.
Layer the Bread: Cut half of the bread slices into roughly 2-inch pieces and spread them across the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the Swiss cheese on top to start building those cheesy layers.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Make the Breadcrumbs: Take the rest of the bread and pulse it in a food processor until it’s crumbly—these crumbs will be our crispy topping. Set them aside for later.
Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it’s fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with a bit of seasoned salt and a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor. Once it’s ready, spread the beef over the cheese layer in the baking dish.
Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet, add a little olive oil and toss in the sliced onions. Cook them slowly over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they’re soft and caramelized—this takes about 15 minutes. Spread the onions evenly over the beef.
Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the Thousand Island dressing, milk, and eggs until smooth. Pour this mixture over the casserole, letting it soak into the layers. Sprinkle the rest of the Swiss cheese on top.
Top with Breadcrumbs: Stir the melted butter into the breadcrumbs, then sprinkle this over the top of the casserole for a nice, crunchy finish.
Bake: Pop the dish in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool just a bit, then dig in! This casserole is best served warm and is packed with all those delicious patty melt flavors. Enjoy!
Tip:
For a truly flavorful casserole, give those onions plenty of time to caramelize! Cooking them low and slow brings out a natural sweetness that really makes this dish shine. If you rush them, they’ll taste more oniony than sweet, and you’ll miss out on that deep, savory flavor. Also, make sure to drain any excess grease from the ground beef before layering it in the casserole—this keeps it from getting soggy and lets the bread absorb all the delicious flavors of the seasoned meat, dressing, and cheese. This little step makes a big difference in the final texture!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Swiss cheese gives it that classic patty melt vibe, but feel free to switch it up. Cheddar adds a nice sharpness, provolone is great for a milder taste, and if you’re feeling adventurous, pepper jack gives it a little kick. Just pick a cheese that melts well and complements the other flavors.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can! You can put the whole thing together a day in advance. Just cover it and stick it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit out for a few minutes, then pop it in the oven. It’s perfect for prepping ahead if you’re hosting or just want a low-stress dinner the next day.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm up the whole dish in the oven at 350°F to keep the top nice and crispy.
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<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Savory Patty Melt Casserole
Ingredients
- 10 slices of white or sourdough bread
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 1 tbsp seasoned salt
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large or 2 small white onions sliced
- 1.5 c grated Swiss cheese about 18 slices
- 1/2 c Thousand Island dressing
- 1/2 c milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 c 1/2 stick melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep the Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and greasing a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Layer the Bread and Cheese: Cut half of the bread slices into roughly 2-inch pieces and spread them across the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle half of the grated Swiss cheese over the bread chunks.
- Make Breadcrumbs: Place the remaining bread slices in a food processor and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Set these breadcrumbs aside for the topping.
- Cook the Beef: Grab a large skillet, set it over medium heat, and toss in the ground beef. As it cooks, break it up into smaller pieces so it browns evenly. Once it’s no longer pink, season it with the seasoned salt and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the cheese layer in the baking dish.
- Caramelize the Onions: In the same skillet, add the olive oil over medium heat, then toss in the sliced onions. Cook, stirring often, until they turn soft and golden brown—about 15 minutes. Layer the caramelized onions over the beef in the baking dish.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the Thousand Island dressing, milk, and eggs until smooth. Pour this mixture evenly over the casserole, making sure it soaks through the layers. Top with the remaining Swiss cheese.
- Add the Topping: Combine the melted butter with the breadcrumbs, then sprinkle this over the top of the casserole for a nice, crunchy finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden and everything is bubbly and heated through.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
