Jalapeño Popper Patty Melt

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef, shaped into 2 large patties

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Salt and black pepper, to taste

4 slices thick-cut bread (Texas toast recommended)

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese

2–3 roasted jalapeños, sliced

½ cup caramelized onions

2 tablespoons butter, for toasting the bread

BBQ sauce, for drizzling

Optional Add-Ins

Crispy bacon strips

Delish Vegetable Beef Soup

Hearty Beef Barley Soup

Stracciatella Soup (Italian Egg Drop Soup)

Pickled jalapeño slices

Extra slices of cheddar or pepper jack

Instructions

Prepare the Creamy Filling:
In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar (or pepper jack). Mix until smooth and set aside.

Season the Beef Patties:
Sprinkle both patties with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, coating evenly on both sides.

Cook the Patties:
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until they are well-browned on the outside and cooked to your desired doneness. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

Toast the Bread:
Add a little butter to the same skillet. Once melted, place the bread slices in the pan and toast until each side is golden and crisp. Remove and set aside.

Add the Creamy Layer:
Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture onto each slice of toasted bread.

Build the Flavor Base:
Add caramelized onions and roasted jalapeño slices over the cream cheese layer, distributing them evenly.

Add the Patty:
Place one cooked beef patty on each prepared slice of bread.

Finish with a Drizzle:
Drizzle a little BBQ sauce over the patty for a sweet and smoky kick.

Complete the Sandwich:
Top each patty melt with the remaining toast slices. Gently press them together.

Melt Everything Together:
Return the assembled patty melts to the skillet for 1–2 minutes per side, just until everything warms through and the filling becomes beautifully melty.

Serve:
Slice in half and enjoy all the spicy, cheesy, smoky goodness while hot.

Pro Tip:

For maximum melty richness, use Texas toast and place a hot slice of pepper jack cheese directly on the cooked patty before assembling—it adds extra heat and the perfect gooey finish.