Hey y’all! Ever wondered what happens when your favorite diner patty melt meets craveable, cheesy pizza? Say hello to Patty Melt Pizza—a golden, crispy crust loaded with savory ground beef, sweet caramelized onions, and gooey Swiss and cheddar cheeses. It’s the ultimate comfort food mashup that’s perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or anytime you’re craving something deliciously satisfying. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This
- All the flavors of a classic patty melt in pizza form—amazing!
- Quick and easy prep: ready in under 40 minutes.
- Crunchy crust meets juicy beef and melty cheese for unbeatable texture.
- Great for feeding a crowd or family pizza night.
- Totally customizable with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pre-made pizza dough, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup thousand island dressing (plus more for drizzling, optional)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for onions)
Directions
Prep the Oven and Dough
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
- On a lightly floured surface, stretch and shape the pizza dough to fit a 12-inch pizza pan or baking sheet. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled pan and set aside.
Caramelize the Onions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the sliced onions, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until golden and caramelized. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Cook the Beef
- In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
Assemble the Pizza
- Spread the thousand island dressing evenly over the pizza dough.
- Top with the cooked ground beef mixture, distributing evenly.
- Layer the caramelized onions on top of the beef.
- Sprinkle both Swiss and cheddar cheeses evenly over the entire pizza.
Bake the Pizza
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
Serve
- Let the pizza cool for a couple minutes, then slice and drizzle with extra thousand island dressing if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Let your dough come to room temperature for easier stretching and a crispier crust.
- Don’t rush the onions—slow and low caramelization brings out their sweet flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
Variations
- Pepper Jack Patty Melt Pizza: Replace cheddar with pepper jack for extra spice.
- Turkey Patty Melt Pizza: Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter twist.
- Rye Crust: Swap in rye flour for part of the dough to channel classic patty melt bread flavor.
Required Equipment
- 12-inch pizza stone, pan, or baking sheet
- Large skillet
- Cutting board and knife
- Cheese grater
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Storage Instructions
Store leftover Patty Melt Pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 5-7 minutes or until hot and crispy.
Serving Recommendations
- Pair with a crisp dill pickle and a side of oven fries for the full diner experience.
- Serve with a fresh green salad to balance the richness.
- Classic root beer or a cold lager makes the perfect beverage pairing!
Pro Tips
- Stretch dough by hand for a rustic, crispy edge (avoid rolling pins if possible).
- Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a bubbly, golden cheese top.
- Sprinkle a little cornmeal on the pan to prevent sticking and add crunch.
FAQ
- Can I use a store-bought pizza crust?
- Absolutely! Pre-made crust saves time and works perfectly for this recipe.
- What cheese can I substitute if I don’t have Swiss?
- Provolone or mozzarella are tasty, melty alternatives to Swiss cheese.
- Can I make Patty Melt Pizza ahead of time?
- You can prep toppings the day before and assemble/bake just before serving for best results.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pre-made pizza dough, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup thousand island dressing (plus more for drizzling, optional)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for onions)
Instructions
-
1Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while preheating.
-
2On a lightly floured surface, stretch and shape the pizza dough to fit a 12-inch pizza pan or baking sheet. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled pan and set aside.
-
3In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp olive oil. Add the sliced onions, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, for 12-15 minutes until golden and caramelized. Remove from skillet and set aside.
-
4In the same skillet, add the ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
-
5Stir in the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
-
6Spread the thousand island dressing evenly over the pizza dough.
-
7Top with the cooked ground beef mixture, distributing evenly.
-
8Layer the caramelized onions on top of the beef.
-
9Sprinkle both Swiss and cheddar cheeses evenly over the entire pizza.
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10Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
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11Let the pizza cool for a couple minutes, then slice and drizzle with extra thousand island dressing if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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