Tuna Melt, Patty Melt and 5 Other Amazing Melts to Make You a Lunchtime Star

Prosciutto-Onion Patty Melt Recipe
Prosciutto-Onion Patty Melt Recipe

Classic Turkey Melt Recipe

There are about 1,000 combinations out there for matching up turkey, cheese, and bread. This recipe uses dill Havarti for its meltability and hint of herb-y sweetness, but you can try this with pretty much any other cheese and not go wrong. Either way, you'll have a superior turkey sandwich in the time it takes to preheat your broiler.

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Grilled Patty Melt on Sourdough with Caramelized Onions and Spicy Ketchup Recipe

Instead of grilled burgers, you and the kids will love this retro alternative. Refrigerate any leftover onions for future use.

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Ham and Gruyère Melt Recipe

To turn a ham and cheese into a bistro-ready Croque Monsieur, bring 1 cup of whole milk to a simmer in a saucepot. Mix together 1 tablespoon softened unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon flour to create a paste, and then whisk into the hot milk. Continue whisking until thickened, about 10 minutes, over medium heat. Season with salt and nutmeg. Pour a little béchamel over each sandwich, and top with more grated Gruyère. Broil until the top is bubbly and browned.

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Hot Reuben Melt Recipe

A classic Reuben uses Thousand Island dressing, but throw some sharp mustard in here and you'll get a great contrast to the rich meat and cheese. Instead of broiling or using a sandwich press, fry up the meat in a sauté pan, and then melt the cheese directly over the meat for maximum meat-cheese adherence.

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Savory and Sweet Caramelized Apple, Tarragon, and Cheddar Melt Recipe

This melt is inspired by a Cheddar-apple pie, a genius and savory twist on everyone's favorite all-American dessert. This recipe keeps the apples sweet but gives them a savory edge with sharp Cheddar and tarragon for a hint of licorice. Make sure to choose an apple that will hold its shape, and strike a balance between tart and sweet.

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Kale Melt with Gouda and Walnut-Basil Pesto Recipe

Raw kale salad may have its health benefits, but it's arguably not the most fun way to eat your vegetables. Smashing it into a sandwich with nutty Gouda and a quick homemade pesto is a serious improvement. If you're looking to fast-track this, because you absolutely cannot wait to eat, use store-bought pesto instead.

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Prosciutto-Onion Patty Melt Recipe (pictured above)

This recipe upgrades the traditional patty melt by adding tangy caramelized onions and crispy prosciutto to the equation.

INGREDIENTS

1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
4 slices prosciutto (can substitute bacon if desired)
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
4 slices Colby Jack cheese
8 slices rye bread

DIRECTIONS

Cook the onions in a medium pan over medium-low heat with a little olive oil and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Let the onions cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and slightly caramelized. Once ready, set the onions aside on a dish, and in the same pan cook the prosciutto. Because the slices are thin, it should only take a few minutes on each side. Once the prosciutto is crispy, set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.

Meanwhile, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the ground beef, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix together with hands until the ingredients are integrated,but don't over work the meat. Season generously with salt and pepper and mix again. Form the meat into four 4-6 ounce patties (for this type of burger I prefer the patties to be flatter rather than fatter, it fits the bread better).

Cook the burgers in a grill pan over high heat about 2-3 minutes a side, depending on desired doneness. While the burgers are cooking, toast the bread. About a minute or so before the burgers done add a slice of cheese on top of each patty. (To help speed along the process, I like to hold a large pot cover over the pan so that the steam melts the cheese.)

To assemble, place a patty on a slice of the bread, add some onions and a piece of the crispy prosciutto and top with second piece of bread.

Recipe Details

Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

-The Daily Meal