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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Garnish each muffin with diced pepperoni slices and a generous layer of shredded mozzarella cheese, creating an appetizing and indulgent topping.
- 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