Patty Melt Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Enjoy the savory flavors of a classic patty melt transformed into a delicious pizza. This recipe combines a fluffy focaccia dough base with caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef, melted cheeses, and a tangy homemade sauce for a truly satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (110°F–115°F)
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced, divided
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus 1 teaspoon for beef
• 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, plus 2 teaspoons for sauce
• 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
• ⅔ cup (155 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together half of the olive oil, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add half of this mixture to the yeast mixture, reserving the rest for oiling the skillet later.
3. Step 3: Stir in the flour until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of the dough rising, start preparing the toppings. Heat the remaining olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
5. Step 5: Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until soft and golden brown. Transfer onions to a plate and set aside.
6. Step 6: In the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease, then add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.
7. Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons black pepper, chopped parsley, and minced garlic. Set aside the patty melt sauce.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Coat a 12-inch cast iron skillet with the reserved garlic oil mixture, brushing the bottom and sides.
9. Step 9: Add the risen dough to the oiled skillet. Use your fingers to press it to the edges of the skillet and dimple the surface. Bake for 12 minutes until slightly puffed.
10. Step 10: Remove the crust from the oven and spread half of the patty melt sauce (about ½ cup) evenly over the crust, reserving the rest for drizzling after baking.
11. Step 11: Layer the seasoned beef and caramelized onions evenly over the sauce. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.
12. Step 12: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
13. Step 13: Remove the pizza from the oven, drizzle the remaining sauce over the top, and garnish with additional chopped parsley. Slice and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, use sharp cheddar cheese instead of mild, or add pickles on top after baking for a true patty melt twist.
• Make sure the onions are fully caramelized for a rich, sweet contrast to the savory beef.
• You can prepare the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight to let the flavors develop more deeply.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes to keep the crust crispy. Avoid microwaving to prevent a soggy crust.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough instead of making focaccia dough?

Yes, store-bought dough can be used as a shortcut, but the focaccia-style dough provides a light, airy texture that complements the toppings well.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and toppings ahead of time, then assemble and bake when ready for a fresh, hot meal.

Patty Melt Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 102 reviews

This Patty Melt Pizza combines the comforting flavors of a classic patty melt sandwich with a delicious homemade focaccia dough base. Topped with caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef, a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and a tangy patty melt sauce, this unique pizza is baked to golden perfection in a cast iron skillet. Perfect for those who love hearty, flavorful pizzas with a twist on a beloved American classic.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Pizza
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Focaccia Dough

• 1 cup warm water (110°F–115°F)
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 ½ cups (312.5 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (reserved for skillet)

Patty Melt Toppings

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup (113 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Patty Melt Sauce

• ⅔ cup (155 g) mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Prepare Focaccia Dough: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is activated.
2. Mix Oil and Garlic: In a separate bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Add half of this oil mixture to the yeast mixture, reserving the other half for greasing the skillet later.
3. Add Flour and Let Rise: Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
4. Prepare Toppings – Cook Onions: During the last 30 minutes of dough rising, heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally for 15–20 minutes, until soft and golden brown. Remove onions from skillet and set aside.
5. Cook Ground Beef: In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease. Then mix in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir well and set aside.
6. Make Patty Melt Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, black pepper, chopped parsley, and minced garlic until well combined. Set aside.
7. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
8. Prepare Skillet and Shape Dough: Pour the reserved garlic olive oil mixture into a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Use a brush or fingers to coat the bottom and sides evenly with the oil. Add the risen dough to the skillet and press it out to the edges, dimpling the surface with your fingers.
9. Bake Dough: Bake the dough for about 12 minutes until slightly puffed and lightly golden.
10. Add Sauce and Toppings: Remove the skillet from the oven and spread half of the patty melt sauce (approximately ½ cup) evenly over the crust. Layer the cooked ground beef and caramelized onions on top. Then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the toppings.
11. Finish Baking: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
12. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle the remaining patty melt sauce over the hot pizza just before serving, and sprinkle with additional freshly chopped parsley. Slice and serve warm for the best flavor experience.

Notes

• Make sure the water temperature is between 110°F and 115°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
• Caramelizing onions slowly enhances their natural sweetness and adds depth to the pizza toppings.
• If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use an oven-safe skillet with similar dimensions for best results.
• You can prepare the patty melt sauce a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator to save time.
• Allow the dough to fully rise to ensure a fluffy and airy focaccia base.
• Drain excess grease from the cooked ground beef to prevent a soggy crust.
• Use freshly chopped parsley for garnish to add color and a fresh herbal note.

Keywords: Patty Melt Pizza, Focaccia Dough Pizza, Ground Beef Pizza, Caramelized Onion Pizza, Cast Iron Skillet Pizza, Homemade Pizza