Easy Cheesy Pizza Muffin Melts Recipe: A Fun Family Favorite

Savory pizza muffins blend the irresistible comfort of classic Italian flavors with portable, handheld convenience.

Packed with melted cheese and robust seasonings, these delightful bites reinvent traditional pizza expectations into something wonderfully innovative.

Crispy edges and soft, pillowy centers create a textural experience that surprises and delights hungry snackers.

Small yet mighty, these muffin-style creations offer a quick solution for satisfying midday cravings or unexpected hunger pangs.

The compact design makes them perfect for on-the-go eating, lunch boxes, or casual gatherings where finger foods reign supreme.

Each bite promises a burst of familiar yet unexpected taste sensations that will intrigue both children and adults alike.

Prepare to elevate your standard pizza routine with these compact, flavor-dense morsels.

Ingredients You Need for Pizza Muffin Melts

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base with hearty flavor for the pizza melt.
• Ground Sausage: Adds extra depth and spiciness to the meat mixture.
• Pepperoni: Provides a classic pizza topping with zesty and crispy texture.

• Butter: Helps soften vegetables and adds richness to the meat mixture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Classic melting cheese with stretchy and creamy profile for pizza-style topping.

• Mushrooms: Earthy ingredient that adds umami and meaty texture to the mixture.
• Onion: Provides sweet and savory base flavor for the meat sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that intensifies overall dish flavor.
• Marjoram: Subtle herb that brings delicate, slightly sweet herbal notes.

• Marinara Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce that creates pizza-like flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Basic seasoning to enhance overall taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity to the seasoning.

• English Muffins: Sturdy base that provides crispy foundation for the pizza melt.

How to Make Pizza Muffins the Fast Way

Step 1: Sizzle The Meat Blend

• Butter
• Mushrooms
• Onion

Continue cooking until meat is fully browned and onions become soft and translucent.

Step 2: Enhance With Aromatic Herbs

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic and marjoram. Stir constantly for 1 minute to release deep flavors.

Step 3: Create Savory Sauce

Pour marinara sauce into skillet. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Simmer for 7-10 minutes, allowing ingredients to blend perfectly.

Step 4: Prepare Crispy Muffin Base

Split English muffins and arrange on baking sheet. Broil until edges turn golden and crispy.

Step 5: Layer With Delicious Toppings

• Diced pepperoni
• Mozzarella cheese

Step 6: Melt And Finish

Return muffins to broiler for 2-3 minutes. Watch carefully until cheese bubbles and turns slightly golden. Remove immediately to prevent burning.

Serve hot and enjoy your pizza muffin melts!

Tips for Gooey, Cheesy Pizza Muffins

• Boost Meat Flavor: Brown meats completely to develop deep, rich caramelized flavors that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Perfect Muffin Crunch: Toast English muffins just until golden to ensure a crispy base without burning, creating ideal texture contrast.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Use freshly grated mozzarella for superior melting and distribute evenly to guarantee each bite has gooey cheese coverage.
• Herb Enhancement: Crush dried marjoram between fingers before adding to release more intense aromatics and maximize herb flavor profile.
• Sauce Simmering Secret: Allow sauce to reduce slightly during simmering to concentrate flavors and prevent soggy muffin bottoms, ensuring a robust and cohesive final dish.

Store and Heat Leftover Pizza Muffins with Care

• Store Leftovers: Carefully transfer remaining Pizza Muffin Melts into an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerate promptly within two hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Method: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place muffin melts on a baking sheet, covering loosely with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Warm for 8-10 minutes until heated through, ensuring cheese melts smoothly and meat remains juicy.
• Freezing Option: Wrap individual muffin melts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, maintaining their delicious flavor and texture.

Great Dips and Sides for Pizza Muffins

• Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Select a bold, medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich meaty flavors and cuts through the cheesy texture of the pizza muffin melts.
• Crisp Salad Sidekick: Serve a light, tangy arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty muffin melts and provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich, savory dish.
• Cool Beer Companion: Choose a crisp lager or hoppy IPA that refreshes the palate and stands up to the robust meat and cheese combination, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Roasted Veggie Accompaniment: Add a side of roasted seasonal vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini to introduce a healthy element and add color to the plate, creating a well-rounded meal.

Easy Ways to Remix Pizza Muffin Melts

• Vegetarian Victory: Replace ground beef and sausage with crumbled tofu or plant-based meat alternatives. Add extra mushrooms and bell peppers for a hearty vegetable-packed version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Mediterranean Mix: Swap marinara for tzatziki sauce, use lamb instead of beef, and sprinkle feta cheese instead of mozzarella. Incorporate oregano and kalamata olives for an authentic Greek-inspired experience.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced jalapeños and green chiles to the meat mixture. Use pepper jack cheese and top with fresh cilantro. Drizzle with chipotle sauce for an extra kick of southwestern heat.
• Breakfast Bounce: Transform the recipe by adding scrambled eggs and crispy bacon bits to the meat mixture. Use cheddar cheese and serve with a side of hash browns for a complete morning meal that feels like weekend brunch.

Why Pizza Muffin Melts Are Fun and Easy

• Savor Meaty Flavor Explosion: Combining ground beef, sausage, and pepperoni creates a rich, intense meat experience that satisfies deep carnivore cravings with layers of savory goodness.
• Quick Comfort Meal Hack: This recipe transforms simple English muffins into gourmet-style mini pizzas in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous lunch gatherings.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible ingredients allow home cooks to swap meats, adjust cheese types, or add extra herbs, ensuring the recipe adapts to personal taste preferences and pantry availability.
• One-Pan Cooking Convenience: The entire preparation happens primarily in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and streamlining the cooking process for home chefs who want delicious results without extensive kitchen work.

Pizza Muffin Melts Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory Pizza Muffin Melts bring Italian-inspired comfort right to your kitchen. Quick and irresistible mini pizzas combine tender muffin bases with classic marinara, melted cheese, and favorite toppings you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb (453 g) ground beef
• ½ lb (226 g) ground sausage (bulk or Italian)
• 2 ounces (57 g) pepperoni, diced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces (226 g) mushrooms, thickly sliced
• ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Base and Cheese:

• 6 English muffins
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
• ½ teaspoon marjoram
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature, combining ground beef and ground sausage. Cook the meats until they begin to brown, releasing their rich flavors and creating a delectable base for the muffin melts.
2. Introduce butter, sliced mushrooms, and diced onions to the partially cooked meats. Continue sautéing until the meat achieves a complete golden-brown color and the vegetables turn tender and translucent.
3. Reduce the skillet’s heat to medium-low. Sprinkle minced garlic and dried marjoram into the mixture, stirring consistently for approximately 60 seconds to allow the aromatic herbs to infuse throughout the meat.
4. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal taste preference. Simmer the sauce for 7-10 minutes, letting the ingredients meld and develop a rich, harmonious flavor profile.
5. Prepare the English muffins by carefully splitting them in half and arranging them on a sturdy baking sheet. Position the muffins under the broiler, toasting until they reach a golden-brown hue with crispy edges.
6. Distribute the savory meat and sauce mixture evenly across the toasted English muffin halves, ensuring each piece receives an equal portion of the flavorful filling.
7. Garnish each muffin with diced pepperoni slices and a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese, creating an appetizing and indulgent topping.
8. Return the assembled muffin melts to the broiler for 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent burning. Remove once the cheese has completely melted and developed a bubbly, golden surface.

Notes

• Meat Medley Magic: Combining ground beef and sausage creates a rich, deeply flavored base that adds complexity and depth to these hearty pizza muffin melts.
• Quick Flavor Boost: Sautéing mushrooms and onions with the meats releases their natural sugars, developing a more intense and caramelized taste profile.
• Seasoning Sweet Spot: Adding garlic and marjoram midway through cooking allows the herbs to bloom and intensify their aromatic qualities without burning.
• Broiler Brilliance: Toasting English muffins before adding toppings ensures a crispy, golden base that prevents sogginess and adds textural contrast.
• Cheese Melt Mastery: Watching closely during the final broiling stage prevents burning while achieving perfectly melted, bubbly mozzarella that stretches beautifully.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare the meat sauce in advance and refrigerate, then quickly assemble and broil the muffins when ready to serve for a speedy meal solution.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch
• Method: Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg