Meatloaf Patty Melts (+Video)
Meatloaf Patty Melt is an open-faced meatloaf sandwich with melted cheese on top. Made up of flavorful ground beef on a toasted bun!
AN OLD-FASHIONED DINER MEAL
I love a good meatloaf. And if you like Meatloaf, chances are you like a good meatloaf sandwich too. That is where the inspiration for this recipe Meatloaf Patty Melt came from. It’s kinda like an old-fashioned tuna melt but with a meatloaf filling. You got your toasted bun, meatloaf filling, and then topped off with melted cheese. Humble. Filling. Yummy.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST MEATLOAF MELTS:
- For this recipe I think it’s best to use a leaner meat. If your beef has too much fat, it will drip into the bun and may cause it to be soggy.
- Don’t have crackers? Use plain, crushed corn flakes!
- Want a crunchier bun? Toast the buns slightly before topping with meatloaf mixture.
- This is great served with French fries or even chips!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- sub rolls
- lean ground beef
- crushed saltine crackers
- egg
- small onion
- milk
- ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- dried thyme
- garlic powder
- shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper
HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF PATTY MELTS:
Preheat oven to 450F degrees. Split rolls in half (lengthwise.) Place rolls on baking sheet and set aside.
In a medium bowl, begin preparing the meatloaf mixture. Combine ground beef, crushed crackers, egg, onion, milk, 4 tablespoons ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
It’s best just to get in there with your clean hands and combine the mixture. Top buns with meat mixture.
Spread additional ketchup on top of meat mixture (as much or as little as you like).
Put in the oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes (until meat registers 160F degrees.) Take them out and add shredded cheese on top.
Bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. And serve with your favorite sides. You can eat this with your hands. Or a knife and fork!
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Meatloaf Patty Melts (+Video)
Ingredients
- 4 (6-inch) sub rolls
- 1 pound lean ground beef, at least 90% lean
- 1 1/4 cups saltine crackers
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 small onion, minced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 Tablespoons ketchup, plus more for topping
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste (about a teaspoon each)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F degrees. Split rolls in half (lengthwise). Put on baking sheet and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, crushed crackers, egg, onion, milk, 4 tbsp. ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
- Top each bun-half with meat mixture (spreading it out evenly amongst all the buns.)
- Spread additional ketchup on top of meat mixture (as much or as little as you like).
- Put in oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes (until meat registers 160F degrees).
- Take them out and add shredded cheese on top.
- Bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: February 2012
Updated & republished: September 2020
Recipe Inspiration: Cook’s Country
Sounds awesome. I would add garlic butter to the rolls just before toasting them. Makes it better.
I prefer to use cream of mushroom soup on my meatloaf. How do you think this would impact the bread?
This was easy & a quick dinner. Thank you for sharing it was good & will be added to our rotation..
Could I use the lipton beefy onion mix to create this? Would it still come out right? That's what I usually use for my meatloaf
Okay, thanks a lot Brandie, I appreciate the info.
Hi Anonymous – thank you for wanting to share my recipes with your friends. There is a little share buttong on the very bottom of each post. It's in grey and doesn't really stand out. It's next to the Google plus button. I don't mind folks sharing as long as they don't share a full recipe on facebook but link back here for folks to grab the recipe. I work hard on these posts and I would love folks to come here to see the whole recipe and photos! Thanks so much! 🙂 ~Brandie
Can I share your recipes on my facebook page? I didn't see a share button, don't want to do anything wrong/
Anonymous, you would still use 1 1/4 cup. 🙂 ~Brandie
If I use bread crumbs instead of crackers, how much would I use?
Oh yum! I would have never thought to do this with meatloaf. What an awesome twist! It's going on my meal plan for next week. :)~ Nicole
That is one of the best compliments – when a picky eater enjoys something! Yay!!!
My picky eaters enjoyed these!
LOVE this recipe, LOVE your blog and LOVE your recipes!
Hey Kenneth!! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to let me know how they turned out for ya! So happy you like them!
This IS AMAZING!!!! Anyone who likes meatloaf sandwiches the next day will LOVE this!!!!
Kenneth From Texas
We love meatloaf in our house too. While I try to stay away from bread (glutens) my guys will absolutely love this! I'm putting it into my menu this week! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Its been pinned! 🙂
I love love love this idea…maybe because I love love love meatloaf?? And finding gr. beef on sale is a real kick too. I just stocked up on some this week, so I'll be ready to make this soon. LOVE your recipes…and you too! XO
This is a great idea to make meatloaf in a jiffy!. These melts look so good with all that melted cheese, Yum!
Love this. Great idea.
Oh yum! What a great, creative idea 🙂 looks like the perfect comfort meal.
I have bad flashbacks to my mother sending horrible, dry meatloaf sandwiches with us to school for our lunches. We're talking bad.
Your post is like therapy to me! You've cured my flashbacks. And these look SO good. Pinning these for later! Thanks!
This looks great. I can't get Mr. Hungry Couple to eat meatloaf in any form but I love it. This recipe's for me!
Putting these on the menu soon! 🙂 They look so dang yummy!
Ooo, yummy! This reminds me a little bit of our "Supper on A Bread Slice", but I like the idea of a hearty ketchup-y meatloaf filling rather than the evap. milk this other one calls for. I will have to try this!! Your photo is just gorgeous! I love it when food is pretty! 🙂
Oh, WOW, what a delicious recipe! I adore meatloaf…and adding cheese just makes it better!
I totally agree!!!