If you’ve ever been torn between the cheesy goodness of pizza and the hearty satisfaction of a classic burger, Pizza Burgers are about to become your ultimate comfort food. This recipe starts with juicy, well-seasoned beef patties that get a saucy, melty pizza makeover—think gooey mozzarella, zippy pepperoni, and buns toasted just right. With the best parts of both beloved dishes in every bite, Pizza Burgers bring the fun of pizza night to your grill or skillet and promise smiles all around the table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pizza Burgers come together with simple, familiar staples, each playing its own special role to build irresistible layers of flavor. Don’t skip any: every ingredient matters for that ooey-gooey, savory, just-like-your-favorite-pizzeria taste!

Ground Beef (1 pound): Use 80/20 for a juicy, flavorful burger base that stays tender on the grill or stovetop.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Boosts all the savory, meaty flavors in the patties.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds the right touch of warmth and depth.
Garlic Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Delivers classic pizza flavor, effortlessly blended into the meat.
Italian Seasoning (1/2 teaspoon): Brings those unmistakable pizza-shop herb notes to every bite.
Pizza Sauce (1/4 cup, plus more for topping): Tangy and rich, it binds the pizza burger concept and gives that essential sauciness.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1/2 cup): When melted, this brings stretchy, creamy indulgence that’s instantly craveable.
Mini Pepperoni Slices (1/4 cup): Or finely chopped regular pepperoni; a little goes a long way for bold, zesty flavor.
Burger Buns (4): Sturdy enough to handle all those savory toppings and juicy patties—pick your favorite!
Mozzarella or Provolone Slices (4): Extra gooey cheese makes for that true pizza finish.
Olive Oil or Butter (for toasting buns): Creates irresistibly golden, crisp edges on your buns (don’t skimp!).
Optional Toppings (sliced olives, sautéed mushrooms, fresh basil): Make each burger your own and add more pizza personality!

How to Make Pizza Burgers

Step 1: Mix and Shape the Patties

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Use your hands to gently mix until everything’s well incorporated, but don’t overwork it—this keeps your Pizza Burgers tender. Form the mixture into 4 equal patties, pressing a slight dent in the center to help them cook evenly and prevent puffing up during grilling.

Step 2: Cook the Burgers

Preheat your skillet or grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until they’re browned outside and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). This gives you juicy centers without any guesswork—perfect for burgers with lots of toppings.

Step 3: Add the Pizza Toppings

During the last minute of cooking, spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over each patty. Then, sprinkle a generous handful of shredded mozzarella and scatter the mini pepperoni slices right on top. Cover the skillet or close the grill lid to create a quick hot pocket of steam, melting the cheese and warming the pepperoni until bubbly.

Step 4: Toast the Buns

Meanwhile, brush the cut sides of your burger buns with olive oil or a dab of butter. Toast them on a pan or grill until golden and crisp—this step is essential to keep your Pizza Burgers from turning soggy under all that saucy, cheesy goodness.

Step 5: Assemble and Finish

Place each pizza-topped patty on a toasted bun. Layer a slice of mozzarella or provolone (if you crave extra cheesiness), add an extra swirl of pizza sauce, and pile on any optional toppings you like—think sliced olives, sautéed mushrooms, or torn fresh basil. Enjoy them hot, right away, to savor that perfect melty-cheese moment.

How to Serve Pizza Burgers

Garnishes

Fresh basil leaves, a scattering of chopped parsley, or a few extra mini pepperonis make these Pizza Burgers look every bit as exciting as they taste. For a little heat, try a pinch of red pepper flakes, or keep a side of warm marinara for dipping—because extra sauce is always welcome!

Side Dishes

For the full pizzeria experience, serve your Pizza Burgers alongside crispy oven fries, garlic knots, or a fresh, zesty Caesar salad. Even something as simple as crunchy carrot sticks or a bowl of kettle chips pairs beautifully with the rich, bold burger flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Hosting friends or a fun family night? Try serving mini slider versions for a crowd. Alternatively, pile the burgers high with colorful toppings and set up a DIY burger bar so everyone can build their perfect Pizza Burger. For something special, serve with a side of warm pizza sauce in tiny ramekins for dunking—pizza and burgers, interactive style!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftover Pizza Burgers, let them cool to room temperature before wrapping patties individually in foil or placing in an airtight container. Store toppings and buns separately if possible, keeping everything in the fridge for up to 3 days to keep flavors fresh and buns from getting soggy.

Freezing

Packed parties or meal prepping? You can freeze cooked pizza burger patties (without sauce or toppings) for up to 2 months. Wrap each patty tightly in plastic wrap and store in a ziptop freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and add fresh sauce, cheese, and fun toppings right before serving for the best texture.

Reheating

To revive leftover Pizza Burgers, warm the patties in a skillet over low heat, covered, until heated through and the cheese is gooey again (about 3-4 minutes). For extra convenience, you can also reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts—just know the buns may soften. Toast buns separately for best results.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?

Absolutely! Both ground turkey and chicken are great lighter options for Pizza Burgers. Just check the internal temperature for doneness (165°F for poultry) and consider a little extra olive oil to keep them juicy.

What’s the best way to melt the cheese if I don’t have a grill lid?

No problem—if you’re using a skillet, just cover it with a large metal mixing bowl or even a baking sheet to trap in steam and help the cheese melt quickly and evenly.

Can I make these Pizza Burgers vegetarian?

Definitely! Swap the ground beef for your favorite plant-based burger, and skip the pepperoni or use a vegetarian version. All those classic pizza toppings still taste amazing with meatless patties.

How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?

Toast your buns until golden and crisp, and add any extra sauce or juicy toppings right before serving. If prepping in advance, keep sauced patties and buns separate, then assemble just before eating.

What kinds of pizza toppings work well on Pizza Burgers?

Classic options include sliced black olives, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or a handful of arugula. Don’t be afraid to play around—anything you love on a regular pizza will shine here as well!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never mashed up burger night and pizza night before, Pizza Burgers are about to become one of your go-to, most-requested dinners. The combination of gooey cheese, tangy sauce, and a juicy burger patty is just plain irresistible. Give this fun twist a try soon—you might never go back to plain cheeseburgers again!

Pizza Burgers Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Pizza Burgers are a delicious mashup of two favorite foods – pizza and burgers. Juicy beef patties seasoned with Italian flavors, topped with pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella cheese, and mini pepperoni, all sandwiched between burger buns. A fun twist for a weeknight dinner or weekend cookout!

Ingredients

Scale

For the patties:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

For assembly:

1/4 cup pizza sauce (plus more for topping)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup mini pepperoni slices (or chopped regular pepperoni)
4 burger buns
4 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
olive oil or butter for toasting buns
optional toppings: sliced olives, sautéed mushrooms, fresh basil

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Instructions

Prepare the patties: In a large bowl, mix ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Form into 4 equal patties.
Cook the patties: Preheat a skillet or grill to medium-high heat. Cook the burgers for 4–5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temp reaches 160°F/71°C).
Add toppings: During the last minute of cooking, spoon about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each patty and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and mini pepperoni. Cover to melt the cheese.
Toast the buns: Meanwhile, toast burger buns with olive oil or butter until golden.
Assemble: Place each patty on a bun, add mozzarella or provolone, extra sauce, and desired toppings. Serve hot.