Large Skillet: Essential for browning meats and cooking vegetables, with a wide surface for even heat distribution.
Baking Sheet: Provides a sturdy surface for toasting English muffins and assembling the melts.
Broiler: Crucial for toasting muffins and melting cheese to golden, bubbly perfection.
Cutting Board: Needed for chopping mushrooms, onions, and pepperoni.
Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season the meat mixture.
How to Make Pizza Muffin Melts in a Flash
Meat Foundation A skillet transforms ground beef and sausage into a savory base with sautéed mushrooms and onions, releasing rich flavor profiles that set the stage for an incredible bite.
Aromatic Infusion Garlic and marjoram dance together, creating a fragrant layer that elevates the meat mixture with complex undertones of warmth and depth.
Sauce Symphony Marinara cascades into the skillet, blending with seasoned meats and creating a robust sauce that simmers and melds flavors into a cohesive texture.
Crispy Muffin Canvas English muffins undergo a golden transformation under the broiler, developing a perfect crunch that will support the hearty topping.
Cheesy Crescendo Pepperoni and melted mozzarella crown the muffins, adding a final layer of indulgence that transforms the dish from simple to spectacular.
Final Flourish A quick broil brings everything together, creating bubbling cheese and a perfectly finished melt that promises maximum deliciousness in every single bite.
Melty Add-Ins and Toppings to Try
Swap ground sausage with spicy chorizo or turkey for a unique flavor profile that keeps the dish exciting and personalized.
Prepare the meat sauce up to two days in advance and store in an airtight container, letting flavors develop deeper complexity for an even more delicious meal.
Replace meat with plant-based crumbles, sautéed mushrooms, and bell peppers for a hearty vegetarian version that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.
Let children help sprinkle cheese or choose their favorite toppings, turning meal preparation into a fun family cooking experience that encourages culinary creativity.
Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar, provolone, or pepper jack to elevate the melts and create your signature flavor blend.
Serving Pizza Muffins Hot from the Oven
Serve with Fresh Sides: Pair these pizza muffin melts with a crisp green salad tossed in light vinaigrette to balance the rich, meaty flavors and add a refreshing crunch.
Create Family-Style Platter: Arrange the muffin melts on a large wooden board, allowing everyone to grab their favorite pieces and enjoy a casual, interactive dining experience.
Add Dipping Delights: Provide small bowls of extra marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic aioli for guests to customize their melt's flavor and enhance the overall enjoyment.
Make Portion-Perfect Appetizers: Cut each muffin melt into quarters for bite-sized party snacks that are perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual gatherings with friends.
Storing Pizza Muffins for Later Snacking
Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover pizza muffin melts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain individual muffin integrity.
Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual muffin melts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen melts can be stored for up to 1 month, providing a quick and delicious backup meal option.
Reheat with Care: Revive refrigerated or frozen muffin melts in the oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to keep the English muffins crisp and prevent soggy textures.
Prep Ahead Strategy: Prepare the meat sauce and toast muffins in advance, storing components separately. Assemble and broil just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and optimal flavor.
Savory pizza muffin melts combine classic Italian flavors with comforting American breakfast styles. Quick homemade muffins deliver cheesy, zesty goodness that delights hungry diners and brings simple pleasure to morning meals.
Ingredients
Scale
3 cups marinara sauce
1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 lb (453 g) ground beef
½ lb (226 g) ground sausage (bulk or Italian)
6 English muffins
8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, thickly sliced
2 oz (57 g) pepperoni, diced
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
½ tsp marjoram
Kosher salt (to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef and sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, developing deep, rich flavors and creating a robust foundation for the muffin melts.
Vegetable Integration: Incorporate butter, mushrooms, and onions into the partially cooked meats, continuing to sauté until the meat turns completely golden and vegetables become tender and translucent.
Herbal Infusion: Reduce heat to medium-low, adding minced garlic and dried marjoram. Stir continuously for one minute to distribute aromatic herbs throughout the meat mixture.
Sauce Development: Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper. Simmer for 7-10 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and create a harmonious flavor profile.
Muffin Toasting: Split English muffins and arrange on a baking sheet. Broil until achieving a crispy, golden-brown appearance with caramelized edges.
Assembly and Topping: Spread meat mixture evenly across toasted muffin halves, then top with pepperoni slices and a generous layer of mozzarella cheese.
Final Broiling: Return muffin melts to the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully until cheese melts completely and develops a bubbly, golden surface.
Notes
Meat Selection Tip: Choose high-quality ground beef and sausage with balanced fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness.
Vegetable Sauté Technique: Cook mushrooms and onions until caramelized to enhance depth and richness of the meat mixture.
Cheese Melting Trick: Watch broiler carefully during final cheese melting stage to achieve perfect golden-brown surface without burning.
Marinara Intensity: Adjust marinara sauce quantity based on desired moisture level and personal sauce preference for optimal texture.
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Program: Classic Culinary Arts
Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.