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

Absolutely! If you’re in a rush, go for a quality store-bought dough or flatbread as your base. You’ll still get incredible flavor from the toppings and sauce, and the baking time will be even shorter.

What’s the key to perfect caramelized onions?

Low and slow wins here. Cook them over medium-low heat with a touch of oil and butter, stirring occasionally. Don’t rush—golden, sweet onions take about 15–20 minutes but transform the flavor of the finished pizza.

Can I prepare the toppings or sauce in advance?

Definitely. The caramelized onions, cooked beef, and sauce can all be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated. When ready to assemble, just give them a quick stir to loosen before topping the pizza.

How do I make this dish vegetarian?

Go for sautéed mushrooms or a blend of peppers and spinach instead of beef. Add a splash of soy sauce for extra umami, and you’ll still get the comforting, cheesy, oniony goodness.

Patty Melt Pizza Recipe

Meet your new weeknight dinner obsession: Patty Melt Pizza. This incredible mash-up pulls all the best parts of a classic patty melt sandwich—juicy beef, gooey cheese, sweet caramelized onions, and a tangy sauce—then bakes them on pillowy focaccia crust for a pizza experience that’s out of this world. Even better, you can have this showstopper ready in about an hour, making it an absolute dream for any busy schedule. Every bite has that melt-in-your-mouth comfort you crave, but with a simplicity that makes cooking genuinely enjoyable.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold, Familiar Flavors: This pizza brings together the nostalgia of diner-style patty melts with the universal appeal of a cheesy, golden pizza.
Weeknight-Friendly: From start to finish, you need less than an hour—and most of it is hands-off, so you can unwind while the dough rises.
Foolproof Focaccia Base: No need for complicated crust tricks; focaccia is forgiving, fluffy, and soaks up every bit of flavor.
Ultimate Customizability: Swap ingredients, adjust seasonings, or play with cheese blends to fit your family’s favorites.
Satisfying Texture Contrast: Crisp edges, a soft, chewy base, bubbly cheese, juicy beef, and tender onions in every slice.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything here plays an important role, and a few ingredient notes will guarantee you best results:

Focaccia Dough: The canvas for all the toppings, this quick-rise dough delivers a thick, airy pizza crust that stays tender.
Pro tip: Active dry yeast gives the best lift, and a touch of sugar speeds things up.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used for both dough and skillet, it infuses richness and ensures a gorgeously crisp bottom.
Garlic: Blended into the oil, it perfumes the dough and adds subtle, savory depth.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning both the dough and the beef; don’t hold back.
All-Purpose Flour: The structure for your focaccia—nothing fancy, just your pantry staple.
Yellow Onions: Caramelized until sweet and golden, they bring irresistible richness.
Low and slow is the way here! Don’t rush perfection.
Ground Beef: Classic, juicy base for a proper patty melt vibe. Pick 80/20 beef for balanced flavor and tenderness.
Worcestershire Sauce & Garlic Powder: These deliver the “umami bomb” and savory foundation, rounding out the meat profile.
Black Pepper: For that subtle, unmistakable warmth!
Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, mild, and perfect for that gooey cheese pull.
Mild Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, creamy flavor and golden color.
Mayonnaise, Ketchup, Lemon Juice, Parsley, More Garlic, and Black Pepper: Blended for the signature patty melt sauce—creamy, zesty, herby, and a touch tangy.
Don’t skip the fresh parsley; it wakes up all the flavors.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Looking to mix things up? Go for it!

Make It Spicy: Add hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce or ground beef for extra heat.
Lighter Twist: Use ground turkey or chicken in place of beef, or opt for a blend of sautéed mushrooms and peppers for a vegetarian spin.
Bread Swap: Try baking the toppings on homemade naan, a pre-baked pizza crust, or even French bread halves if you’re in a rush.
Different Cheese Blends: Smoked gouda, provolone, or Swiss will give new personality to the pizza.
Pickle It Up: Layer thinly sliced pickles over the cheese before that last bake for a true deli vibe.

How to Make Patty Melt Pizza

Step 1: Make the Focaccia Dough

Start by mixing warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl—when it turns foamy, you’re ready to move on. In a separate bowl, stir together olive oil, minced garlic, and a bit of salt. Add half of this garlicky oil mix to your bubbly yeast, and keep the rest for brushing the pan. Now, work in the all-purpose flour until you get a soft, shaggy dough. It doesn’t need to be perfect—just make sure it pulls away from the bowl. Pop it into a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour, until doubled.

Step 2: Prep the Toppings

While the dough rises, heat oil and butter in a skillet. Drop in your thinly sliced onions and let them cook nice and slow (about 15-20 minutes), giving them an occasional stir until they’re deeply golden and sweet. Set onions aside. In that same skillet, brown your ground beef, making sure to break it up for even cooking. Drain off any extra fat, then stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Turn off the heat; the beef is ready!

Step 3: Make the Sauce

Whisk up the sauce—just mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, and black pepper. This sauce brings everything together, big time.

Step 4: Assemble & Bake

Fire up your oven to 450°F. Brush a 12-inch cast iron skillet with the reserved garlic oil. Press your risen dough into the skillet, stretching it to the edges and dimpling the top with your fingertips (this makes it extra airy).

Give the dough an initial bake for 12 minutes until it’s puffed up but still pale. Remove from the oven and immediately spread half the sauce on the hot crust. Pile on the cooked beef, layer the caramelized onions, and shower it all in mozzarella and cheddar.

Return to the oven for another 13-15 minutes. The cheese should be bubbly and golden, and the edges deliciously crisp.

Final touch: Drizzle with the rest of the sauce, throw on some chopped parsley, and slice it up to serve. Nothing beats that first bite!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Rush the Dough: Give it the full rise for that classic focaccia texture—airy on the inside, crisp underneath.
Go Slow on the Onions: Caramelizing takes patience but makes all the difference.
Use a Cast Iron Skillet: It delivers unbeatable crust definition and even baking every time.
Pre-Bake the Crust: This quick pre-bake keeps your pizza from getting soggy under those luscious toppings.
Sauce After Baking: Finishing with sauce on top, not just under the cheese, packs every bite with flavor.

How to Serve

Slice the Patty Melt Pizza while it’s still warm—there should be melted cheese strings and crunchy edges for everyone to enjoy. Bring it straight to the table and let everyone grab a slice with their hands. This pizza pairs beautifully with crisp dill pickles, a green salad tossed in vinaigrette, or even your favorite kettle chips on the side. For a heartier meal, try serving with creamy tomato soup or a big bowl of coleslaw.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover slices tightly or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for about 3 days.

Freezing

Want to save pizza for later? Cool slices completely, then wrap and freeze in a single layer before stacking. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To recapture that freshly-baked taste, warm leftovers in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes. The crust will get crispy again, and the cheese will bubble. For a quick fix, a few minutes in a hot skillet works wonders, too. Avoid the microwave if you can—the crust just won’t be the same.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! If you’re in a rush, go for a quality store-bought dough or flatbread as your base. You’ll still get incredible flavor from the toppings and sauce, and the baking time will be even shorter.
What’s the key to perfect caramelized onions?

Low and slow wins here. Cook them over medium-low heat with a touch of oil and butter, stirring occasionally. Don’t rush—golden, sweet onions take about 15–20 minutes but transform the flavor of the finished pizza.
Can I prepare the toppings or sauce in advance?

Definitely. The caramelized onions, cooked beef, and sauce can all be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated. When ready to assemble, just give them a quick stir to loosen before topping the pizza.
How do I make this dish vegetarian?

Go for sautéed mushrooms or a blend of peppers and spinach instead of beef. Add a splash of soy sauce for extra umami, and you’ll still get the comforting, cheesy, oniony goodness.

Final Thoughts

Patty Melt Pizza is everything you crave from a hearty sandwich and a classic pizza—all in one golden, melty slice. With approachable steps, customizable ingredients, and crowd-pleasing flavor, this recipe is the kind you’ll want to return to on every busy night. Give it a try, experiment boldly, and get ready for everyone around the table to ask for seconds.

Patty Melt Pizza Recipe

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Author: Lisa
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Main-course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Print Recipe

Description

This Patty Melt Pizza combines the classic flavors of a patty melt with the indulgent comfort of pizza. Featuring a soft homemade focaccia crust, savory caramelized onions, seasoned ground beef, melty mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and a zesty patty melt sauce, this unique pizza is perfectly hearty and bursting with rich flavor in every bite.

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, mix together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
Combine Oil and Seasoning: In a separate bowl, whisk the olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. Pour half of this mixture into the bowl with the yeast. Reserve the remaining oil mixture for greasing the skillet later.
Make and Rise the Dough: Stir the flour into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the sides. Transfer to a greased bowl, cover, and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Caramelize the Onions: While the dough is rising (last 30 minutes), heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until soft and golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Cook the Beef: Using the same skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease, then add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well and set aside.
Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, lemon juice, black pepper, parsley, and minced garlic until well combined. Set aside.
Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Skillet: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Pour the reserved garlic oil mixture into a 12-inch cast iron skillet and brush it over the bottom and sides. Place the risen dough into the skillet and use your fingers to press it to the edges, dimpling the surface.
Par-Bake the Crust: Place the skillet in the oven and bake the focaccia crust for 12 minutes, until it is slightly puffed.
Add Toppings: Carefully remove the crust from the oven. Spread half of the patty melt sauce (about ½ cup) evenly over the crust. Layer the cooked ground beef and caramelized onions on top, then sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the toppings.
Bake the Pizza: Return the skillet to the oven and bake for an additional 13–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven. Drizzle the remaining sauce over the pizza and sprinkle with extra chopped parsley. Slice and serve warm.

Notes

You can prepare the caramelized onions and beef ahead of time for quicker assembly.
For a crispier crust, bake the focaccia slightly longer before adding toppings.
Use any preferred cheese blend if you want to customize the flavor.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best results.