Savory Patty Melt Casserole
This Savory Patty Melt Casserole brings all the flavors of a classic diner patty melt right to your kitchen, but it’s even cozier and perfect for a family meal. Picture layers of seasoned beef, melty Swiss cheese, and sweet, caramelized onions, all on top of soft bread pieces with a little kick from Thousand Island dressing. A buttery breadcrumb topping gives it that perfect golden crunch. It’s the kind of hearty, feel-good dish that’s easy to make and guaranteed to bring everyone to the table, ready for seconds.
Servings
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
Making this casserole gluten-free is easy and keeps all those amazing flavors! Just use a sturdy gluten-free bread that holds up well in baking; you want something that will absorb all those tasty layers without falling apart. Be sure to use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and Thousand Island dressing, and double-check any spice blends or seasoning salts to be sure they’re gluten-free too. With these swaps, you get all the savory, cheesy goodness without the gluten, so everyone can enjoy it!