Looking to combine two beloved comfort foods? Pizza burgers are the perfect fusion of a classic burger and the mouthwatering flavors of pizza. Each bite delivers a taste of juicy beef seasoned with Italian herbs, gooey mozzarella cheese, spicy pepperoni, and rich pizza sauce, all served on a toasted bun. This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for family dinners, game days, or just whenever you’re in the mood for a twist on traditional burgers. Get ready to impress with these irresistible pizza burgers!
Ingredients
- Ground beef: 1 pound
- Pepperoni slices: 16-24 slices (depending on preference)
- Pizza sauce: ½ cup
- Italian seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Hamburger buns: 4, split and toasted
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 1 cup
Instructions
- Season the Beef and Form the Patties
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all the seasonings are evenly incorporated throughout the beef.
- Divide the seasoned beef mixture into four equal portions and shape each portion into a patty, pressing them to be about the size of the buns.
- Prepare the Grill and Broil the Buns
- Preheat your grill or grilling pan over medium-high heat. Also, set your oven broiler to medium-high.
- Place the split hamburger buns on a baking sheet, with the cut sides facing up. Toast them under the broiler until they reach a golden-brown color. Once toasted, set the top halves aside.
- Grill the Patties
- Place the patties on the grill or grilling pan and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Cooking time may vary depending on thickness, so keep an eye on them.
- Warm the Pizza Sauce and Prepare the Bottom Buns
- While the burgers are grilling, pour the pizza sauce into a small saucepan and heat over low heat. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking or burning.
- Spread half of the warmed pizza sauce onto the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, and add a few slices of pepperoni on top.
- Broil the Bottom Buns
- Place the bottoms under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This step helps to set the pizza-like foundation for each burger.
- Assemble the Pizza Burgers
- Once the patties are done grilling, place each one on top of the melted cheese and pepperoni layers on the bottom buns.
- Spoon the remaining pizza sauce over each burger, followed by the rest of the mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Broil the assembled burgers once more for a couple of minutes, allowing the cheese to melt to perfection. Finish by topping each with the toasted bun tops.
Conclusion
Pizza burgers offer a deliciously unique experience for both burger lovers and pizza fans. The combination of seasoned beef patties with melted mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and rich pizza sauce provides all the flavors of a classic pizza in handheld burger form. Serve these with a side of fries or a fresh salad for a meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Dig in and enjoy the best of both worlds!