Introduction

This Patty Melt Pizza combines the best of two classic dishes into one indulgent meal. With a flavorful focaccia crust topped with seasoned ground beef, caramelized onions, melted cheese, and a tangy homemade sauce, it’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

A close-up of a pizza slice being lifted from a black cast iron pan shows a thick, crispy golden-brown crust as the bottom layer, topped with a rich layer of browned ground meat mixed with melted, gooey cheese in shades of orange and white, slightly browned and bubbly on top. Bits of green herbs are scattered throughout the cheese layer, with creamy white sauce drizzled over the top, adding contrast to the warm colors. The background features the rest of the pizza in the pan resting on a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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
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

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup olive oil, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add half of this mixture to the yeast mixture and reserve the rest for later.
Step 3: Stir in the 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 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of rising, prepare the toppings. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Step 5: Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until they are soft and golden brown. Transfer onions to a plate and set aside.
Step 6: In the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Set aside.
Step 7: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, black pepper, chopped parsley, and minced garlic to make the patty melt sauce. Set aside.
Step 8: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Pour the reserved garlic oil mixture into a 12-inch cast iron skillet and brush the bottom and sides to coat.
Step 9: Add the risen dough to the oiled skillet. Use your fingers to press the dough evenly to the edges and dimple the surface.
Step 10: Bake the crust for 12 minutes until slightly puffed.
Step 11: Remove the crust from the oven and spread half of the patty melt sauce (about ½ cup) evenly over the surface, reserving the rest for later.
Step 12: Layer the cooked ground beef and caramelized onions over the sauce. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Step 13: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Step 14: Remove from the oven and drizzle the remaining patty melt sauce over the pizza. Garnish with additional chopped parsley.
Step 15: Slice the pizza and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a lighter or vegetarian option.
For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the caramelized onions while cooking.
Use sharp cheddar cheese instead of mild for a more pronounced cheesy taste.
Make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight to develop more flavor.

Storage

Store leftover Patty Melt Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the crust from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

A thick skillet pizza with eight slices sits in a black pan on a wooden board. The crust is golden and chewy, topped with a rich layer of browned ground beef mixed with caramelized onions, covered in melted cheese that is creamy white and golden brown from baking, sprinkled with small bits of green herbs. The pizza has a slightly crispy texture around the edges and looks juicy with melted cheese stretching between slices. A metal spatula with a wooden handle lifts one slice, showing the thick base under the topping. Small bowls of green herbs and white sauce are nearby on the wooden board, along with a separate black plate holding a piece of golden, fluffy bread. The background has a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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 save time and still yield delicious results. Just be sure to press it into the skillet and prebake slightly before adding toppings.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

You can freeze the baked pizza for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the oven until heated through and crispy.