The Ultimate Pizza Burgers Recipe: Two Favorites, One Tasty Meal

Tucking into a hearty pizza burger satisfies those intense comfort food cravings like nothing else.

Melted cheese and zesty marinara sauce create an irresistible fusion of classic flavors.

Juicy beef patties get a delicious Italian-inspired twist with this creative mashup.

Crispy edges and soft buns make every bite a delightful experience.

Weeknight dinners demand something exciting and quick to prepare.

Crumbled herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan elevate this crowd-pleasing dish to new heights.

What Makes Pizza Burgers a Family Favorite

• Whip Up Quick Comfort Food: These pizza burgers combine classic burger and pizza flavors for a speedy, satisfying meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.
• Customize with Ease: Personalize each burger with your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or extra cheese, making it a versatile dish for different taste preferences.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Children and adults alike will love this playful fusion of two beloved foods, ensuring a happy mealtime with minimal cooking complexity.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using simple pantry staples and ground beef, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort and minimal kitchen cleanup.

Ingredients for Making Cheesy Pizza Burgers

• Ground Beef: Rich and juicy meat perfect for burger patties.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and salty cheese that adds depth to the meat mixture.

• Pizza Sauce: Classic tomato-based sauce with Italian herbs.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Soft, creamy cheese that melts beautifully.

• Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder: Aromatic blend that gives a robust Italian-style taste.
• Hamburger Buns: Soft bread for serving the burger patties.

How to Make Juicy Pizza Burgers

Step 1: Blend Burger Mixture

Combine ground beef with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl.

Use your hands to thoroughly mix the ingredients and shape the meat into 4 round patties.

Step 2: Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Heat a skillet over medium flame or prepare your grill.

Place the patties on the cooking surface and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior and reach your preferred level of doneness.

Step 3: Transform into Pizza Burgers

Generously spread pizza sauce over each cooked patty.

• Mozzarella cheese
• Optional pizza toppings like pepperoni
• Sliced olives
• Diced bell peppers

Step 4: Melt the Cheese

Cover the skillet with a lid or close the grill cover.

Allow the cheese to melt completely, creating a gooey, irresistible surface.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Place each pizza burger on a fresh hamburger bun.

Serve immediately while hot and melty, perfect for a quick and delicious meal that combines two classic favorites.

Best Tips for Cooking Pizza Burgers

• Experiment with classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or bell peppers to make your pizza burgers unique and personalized.
• Try different cheese combinations such as provolone, cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses for extra flavor depth.
• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter, lower-fat version of the pizza burger.
• Select high-quality pizza sauce or make your own homemade marinara for a more robust and fresh taste profile.
• Prevent burgers from sticking by lightly oiling the grill grates before cooking, ensuring perfect sear marks and easy flipping.

Saving and Reheating Pizza Burgers the Right Way

• Store leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm pizza burgers at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain juicy texture.
• Reheat individual patties on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature to ensure even heating.
• Wrap each patty separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag, storing up to 3 months for future quick meals.

What Goes Best with Pizza Burgers

• Pair Zesty Red Wine: Choose a bold, fruity Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the pizza burger's rich tomato and beef flavors.
• Create Crisp Salad Companion: Toss a light arugula salad with cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette to balance the burger's hearty profile and cut through its richness.
• Boost with Craft Beer Match: Select an amber ale or hoppy IPA that stands up to the burger's robust seasonings and provides a refreshing contrast to the melted cheese and sauce.
• Serve Tangy Pickle Side: Add dill pickle spears or a quick pickle relish to introduce a sharp, acidic element that cleanses the palate between savory burger bites.

Flavorful Twists on Classic Pizza Burgers

• Low-Carb Keto Version: Replace hamburger buns with large lettuce leaves or portobello mushroom caps for a carb-free alternative that keeps the burger's delicious flavor.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Burger or black bean patties, maintaining the pizza-inspired seasoning profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free hamburger buns or serve over a bed of mixed greens to accommodate gluten-sensitive individuals while preserving the burger's core ingredients.
• Turkey Lighter Version: Substitute ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lower-fat protein option that still absorbs the Italian-style seasonings perfectly.

FAQs

• How can I ensure my pizza burgers are juicy and flavorful?

Mix the ground beef with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder before forming patties. This adds extra flavor and helps keep the meat moist during cooking.

• What are the best toppings for pizza burgers?

Classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or additional pizza sauce work great. You can also add extra herbs like fresh basil for more flavor.

• Can I make these burgers ahead of time?

Prepare the patties in advance and store them in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 24 hours before cooking. This can help the flavors meld together and make meal prep easier.

• Is it better to cook pizza burgers in a skillet or on a grill?

Both methods work well. A skillet provides even heat and helps trap moisture, while a grill adds a smoky flavor and nice char marks to the patties.

Pizza Burgers Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Pizza burgers blend Italian zest with American comfort, creating a mouthwatering fusion that delights hungry crowds. Melted cheese, savory meat, and pizza-inspired toppings promise a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) ground beef

Cheese and Sauce:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pizza sauce
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese

Seasonings and Bread:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 hamburger buns

Optional Toppings:

• Sliced pepperoni
• Mushrooms
• Bell peppers
• Onions

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Instructions

1. Craft a savory mixture of ground beef with Parmesan, blending Italian seasoning and garlic powder thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution.
2. Gently shape the seasoned meat into uniform patties, taking care not to compress the mixture too tightly to maintain a tender texture.
3. Heat a skillet to medium temperature or prepare a grill to create an ideal cooking surface for the burgers.
4. Place the patties on the hot cooking surface, allowing them to sear and develop a rich, caramelized exterior while cooking to the preferred doneness.
5. Generously ladle pizza sauce over each perfectly cooked patty, creating a vibrant and zesty layer of flavor.
6. Sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese across the sauced patties, adding optional toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or additional herbs.
7. Create a steamy environment by covering the skillet or closing the grill lid, enabling the cheese to melt smoothly and evenly.
8. Transfer the fully loaded patties onto soft hamburger buns, allowing the melted cheese and savory sauce to create a mouthwatering pizza burger experience.

Notes

• Customize your pizza burgers by experimenting with different cheese combinations like provolone or cheddar for added flavor complexity.
• Ensure ground beef is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F to prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess grease while maintaining juicy burger texture.
• Prepare patties ahead of time and refrigerate for 30 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg