Name: Spicy Sausage Patty Melt
Yield: Makes 4
Ingredients: 1 lb. fresh chorizo or other spicy sausage, casings removed; 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil; 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced; Kosher salt; 2 poblano chiles, ribs and seeds removed, thinly sliced; 1 cup coarsely chopped sliced pickled jalapeños; 8 slices sourdough bread, divided; 1 lb. Oaxaca cheese or fresh mozzarella, torn, divided; Mayonnaise (for spreading)

Cut face of a sandwich on beige background.

Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Paola Andrea

This is not a twist on the classic patty melt so much as it is a dialing up of one. Each individual component that constitutes the favorite diner sandwich gets turned to 11. Sure, ground beef, caramelized onions, and melty Swiss cheese make a hall of fame trio, but if you’re in the mood for a punchier, oozier, spicier take, may we suggest swapping in chorizo and Oaxaca cheese (or fresh mozzarella), and amping up the onions with poblanos and pickled jalapeños?

The result is a crispy fully loaded sandwich that is flavorful and savory but not overly spicy (the cheese does a lot to temper the heat), with a welcome hit of acidity from the pickled peppers. A slick of mayo on the outside of the bread eliminates the need for extra oil in the pan for toasting—remember that next time you’re making a grilled cheese—but to get the full pressed effect, you will need to add a heavy pan on top of the sandwiches to act as a weight while they cook. Sticking a layer of foil between the pan and the bread keeps cleanup easy.

What you’ll need

Large Skillet
$69 At Amazon
Heavy Metal Spatula
$9 $8 At Amazon
Box Grater
$19 At Amazon

Recipe notes

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