Meet your new weeknight obsession: Patty Melt Pizza. This cheesy, meaty, skillet-baked beauty is everything you love about a classic diner patty melt but reimagined in the form of a thick, crispy-edged pizza. With a base of golden hash browns, a layer of seasoned beef and caramelized onions, and a gooey cheese topping that bubbles to perfection, it’s the kind of comfort food that steals the show.

Perfect for game day, casual gatherings, or even a fun dinner with the family, this pizza turns the classic sandwich into a shareable masterpiece. It’s hearty, deeply flavorful, and loaded with textures that keep every bite interesting—crispy, juicy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying.

What Kind of Skillet Should I Use for Patty Melt Pizza?

A cast-iron skillet is your best friend for this recipe. It ensures that the hash brown base crisps up beautifully and holds its structure when you slice into it. If you don’t have one, any oven-safe skillet will do, but cast iron offers the best results for that crave-worthy crust.

Ingredients for the Patty Melt Pizza

Hash browns: The base layer that adds crunch and mimics the toasted bread in a traditional patty melt.
Ground beef: The heart of this pizza, seasoned and browned for a rich, savory bite.
Onion: Sliced and caramelized to add sweetness and depth.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully on top and brings that signature sharpness.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Adds stretch and extra gooey texture.
Worcestershire sauce: Boosts the umami in the beef.
Garlic powder and black pepper: For seasoning the meat to perfection.
Butter: Helps crisp the hash browns and adds flavor.
Parsley (optional): For garnish and a touch of color.

How To Make the Patty Melt Pizza

Step 1: Prepare the Hash Brown Crust

In a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the hash browns and press them firmly into an even layer. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, or until the bottom is golden and crisp. Carefully flip or rotate if needed to ensure even browning. Remove from heat once the base is set and crisped.

Step 2: Cook the Beef and Onions

In a separate skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Once halfway cooked, add sliced onions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft and caramelized. Drain any excess grease if needed.

Step 3: Assemble the Patty Melt Pizza

Spread the beef and onion mixture evenly over the cooked hash brown crust. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese generously on top.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubbly

Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden. If you want extra browning, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot straight from the skillet.

Serving and Storing Patty Melt Pizza

Patty Melt Pizza is best served hot and straight from the skillet, where the cheese is still gooey and the hash brown crust crackles with every bite. This makes it perfect for dinner parties, game night, or even an indulgent brunch option. Pair it with a crisp side salad or some crunchy pickles to balance out the richness.

Got leftovers? Store any remaining slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crisp edges. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of hash browns work best?

Frozen shredded hash browns are ideal—just make sure they’re thawed and squeezed dry before using. You can also use refrigerated pre-shredded potatoes for quicker prep.

Can I make this pizza vegetarian?

Absolutely. Swap the ground beef for a plant-based meat alternative or sautéed mushrooms and lentils for a savory, meat-free twist.

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Make sure the hash browns are well-drained and press them firmly into the pan. Also, avoid overloading with toppings that release too much moisture.

Can I make it ahead of time?

You can prepare the beef-onion mixture a day in advance and refrigerate it. Assemble and bake the pizza just before serving to enjoy that perfect texture.

What cheese substitutions work?

Feel free to mix in provolone, Swiss, or pepper jack if you’re craving different flavor profiles. A bit of Swiss will give it a more traditional patty melt flavor.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes! Just make sure your Worcestershire sauce and other seasonings are labeled gluten-free.

Want More Dinner Ideas?

If this Patty Melt Pizza made your comfort food dreams come true, you’ll love diving into more savory, hearty dinner ideas from the site:

Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole for an ultra-cheesy baked pasta experience.
Cheesy Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce that brings all the coziness of lasagna with a shortcut.
One Pot Creamy Beef and Garlic Butter Pasta for a skillet meal that’s done in under 30 minutes.
Creamy Cheesy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Savory Beef when you want rich flavor and minimal effort.
Skillet Ricotta Pasta with Roasted Broccoli for a veggie-forward, satisfying dish that hits all the right notes.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so it’s easy to find for your next comfort food craving.

And when you try it, drop a comment and let me know how it went. Did you add mushrooms or maybe spice it up with jalapeños? Did you use a different cheese combo?

I love seeing the delicious twists you bring to these recipes. If you’re hungry for more ideas, follow me on Pinterest at Life with Jam where I post new dinner recipes daily.

Patty Melt Pizza

Author: Jam Scott
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Patty Melt Pizza is the ultimate skillet dinner: crispy hash brown crust topped with savory beef, caramelized onions, and melty cheese. It’s a comforting, crave-worthy twist on a classic diner favorite that bakes up bubbly and golden. Perfect for family dinners, parties, or indulgent weekend brunch.

Instructions

1. In a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add hash browns and press into a firm, even layer. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Remove from heat.

2. In a separate pan, cook ground beef over medium heat. When halfway browned, add sliced onions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Cook until beef is browned and onions are soft and caramelized. Drain excess fat.

3. Evenly spread the beef-onion mixture over the cooked hash brown crust in the skillet.

4. Sprinkle both cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.

5. Transfer skillet to a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is fully melted and bubbly. Broil for 1–2 minutes if more browning is desired.

6. Let it rest for 5 minutes, garnish with parsley if using, slice into wedges, and serve hot.