Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love Pizza Burgers because I get two classic comfort foods in every bite. The savory beef patty provides the familiar burger base, while pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and Italian seasoning add plenty of pizza-inspired flavor.
I also appreciate how quickly I can prepare these burgers. I can cook the patties on the stovetop, add the toppings, and have dinner ready in about 30 minutes.
Another reason I make Pizza Burgers is their flexibility. I can change the cheese, skip the pepperoni, add vegetables, or experiment with different pizza toppings without changing the basic recipe.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Hamburger buns
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced pepperoni
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley, optional
Directions
- I place the ground beef in a large bowl and season it with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- I gently mix the seasonings into the beef, taking care not to overwork the meat.
- I divide the mixture into equal portions and shape each portion into a burger patty. I make each patty slightly wider than the bun because the beef shrinks as it cooks.
- I heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat and add the burger patties.
- I cook the burgers on both sides until browned and the centers reach 160°F (71°C).
- I reduce the heat and spoon pizza sauce over each cooked burger.
- I sprinkle mozzarella over the sauce and arrange pepperoni slices on top. I add a little Parmesan and Italian seasoning for extra pizza flavor.
- I cover the skillet briefly and let the burgers cook over low heat until the mozzarella is completely melted.
- While the cheese melts, I lightly toast the hamburger buns. I like toasting them because it helps prevent the pizza sauce from making the bread too soft.
- I place each Pizza Burger on a toasted bun and add a little extra pizza sauce if desired.
- I finish the burgers with fresh basil or parsley and serve them while the cheese is still warm and melted.
Servings and Timing
I usually make 4 Pizza Burgers from one standard batch.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
Variations
Meat Lover’s Pizza Burgers
I add cooked bacon or Italian sausage along with the pepperoni when I want an extra-hearty burger. I make sure all additional meat toppings are fully cooked before adding them.
Supreme Pizza Burgers
I top the burgers with cooked mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and sliced olives for a supreme-pizza-inspired version. I cook the vegetables first so they are tender and do not release too much moisture onto the burgers.
Mushroom Pizza Burgers
I sauté sliced mushrooms until golden and tender, then add them between the pizza sauce and mozzarella. I especially like this variation when I want extra savory flavor.
Extra Cheesy Pizza Burgers
I combine mozzarella with provolone or add extra Parmesan when I want a cheesier burger. I cover the skillet after adding the cheese so it melts evenly.
Spicy Pizza Burgers
When I want some heat, I add crushed red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce or top my burgers with sliced jalapeños before adding the cheese.
Storage/Reheating
I let leftover Pizza Burger patties cool before transferring them to an airtight container. I keep the patties and buns separate so the bread does not become soggy. I refrigerate the cooked burgers and use them within 3 to 4 days.
For reheating, I place the burger patties in a covered skillet over low to medium heat and warm them until thoroughly heated. I can add a little extra pizza sauce and cheese while reheating if needed.
I can also reheat a patty in the microwave in short intervals until hot throughout. I toast a fresh bun separately and assemble the burger after reheating for the best texture.
FAQs
What cheese works best for Pizza Burgers?
I prefer mozzarella because it gives me the stretchy, melted cheese I associate with pizza. I can also combine mozzarella with provolone, cheddar, or Parmesan for additional flavor.
Can I make Pizza Burgers in the oven?
Yes. I can bake the burger patties instead of cooking them in a skillet. I make sure the ground beef reaches 160°F (71°C), then add pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni and return the burgers to the oven briefly until the cheese melts.
How do I keep Pizza Burgers from becoming soggy?
I toast my hamburger buns and avoid adding too much pizza sauce. I also keep the cooked patties and buns separate when storing leftovers and assemble the burgers immediately before serving.
Can I make Pizza Burgers without pepperoni?
Yes. I can leave out the pepperoni and use cheese and pizza sauce alone or replace it with cooked mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, olives, or another favorite pizza topping.
What can I serve with Pizza Burgers?
I like serving Pizza Burgers with oven-baked fries, potato wedges, a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli. I can also serve them with extra warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Conclusion
Pizza Burgers give me an easy way to combine the familiar flavors of pizza and burgers in one fun dinner. Juicy seasoned beef, savory pizza sauce, pepperoni, and melted mozzarella come together on a toasted bun for a meal that is hearty, cheesy, and simple to prepare.
PrintPizza Burgers Recipe
Pizza Burgers combine juicy seasoned beef patties with savory pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Parmesan on toasted hamburger buns. They are a quick, customizable dinner that brings classic pizza and burger flavors together.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Hamburger buns
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Sliced pepperoni
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil or parsley, optional
Instructions
- Place the ground beef in a large bowl and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Gently mix the seasonings into the beef without overworking the meat.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a burger patty slightly wider than the hamburger buns.
- Lightly oil a skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the burger patties.
- Cook the burgers on both sides until browned and the centers reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Reduce the heat and spoon pizza sauce over each cooked burger.
- Sprinkle mozzarella over the sauce and arrange pepperoni slices on top. Finish with Parmesan and additional Italian seasoning if desired.
- Cover the skillet briefly and cook over low heat until the mozzarella is completely melted.
- While the cheese melts, lightly toast the hamburger buns to help prevent the pizza sauce from making them soggy.
- Place each Pizza Burger on a toasted bun and add additional pizza sauce if desired.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve while hot.
Notes
- Avoid overworking the ground beef when forming the patties to help maintain a tender texture.
- Toast the hamburger buns before assembling to help prevent them from becoming soggy.
- For a meat lover’s variation, add fully cooked bacon or Italian sausage along with the pepperoni.
- For Supreme Pizza Burgers, add cooked mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and sliced olives.
- For Mushroom Pizza Burgers, sauté sliced mushrooms until golden and add them between the pizza sauce and mozzarella.
- For extra cheese, combine mozzarella with provolone or additional Parmesan.
- For additional heat, add crushed red pepper flakes to the pizza sauce or sliced jalapeños to the burgers.
- Pepperoni can be omitted or replaced with cooked vegetables or another favorite pizza topping.
- Store leftover cooked patties separately from the buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat patties thoroughly in a covered skillet or microwave, then assemble with freshly toasted buns for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
