Pizza Burgers
The ultimate mashup! Pizza burgers combine the juicy, savory satisfaction of a burger with all the cheesy, saucy goodness of a pizza. Here’s how to make them at home, with several methods from classic to creative.
Classic Skillet Pizza Burgers
Think of these as open-faced, saucy, cheesy burger “pizzas.”
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
· 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
· 1 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1 teaspoon onion powder
· 1 teaspoon dried oregano
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 1 cup (240ml) pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
· 4 burger buns, split (or 4 large slices of Italian bread)
· 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded mozzarella cheese
· ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
· Your favorite pizza toppings: sliced pepperoni, sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, sliced olives, etc.
· Optional for serving: dried red pepper flakes, fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the pizza sauce and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Assemble: Preheat your broiler. Place the split buns or bread slices on a baking sheet. Divide the saucy meat mixture evenly among the bun halves, pressing it down slightly.
- Top & Melt: Sprinkle each with mozzarella, then add your desired toppings (like pepperoni). Finish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.
- Broil: Place under the broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to brown.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
The “Everything Burger” Method
This version stuffs all the pizza flavor inside a juicy patty.
Ingredients for Patties
· 1 lb ground beef
· ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
· ¼ cup finely chopped pepperoni
· 2 tbsp finely chopped green bell pepper
· 1 tsp Italian seasoning
· 1 clove garlic, minced
· Salt & pepper
· 4 slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
· 4 brioche or potato buns
· Butter for toasting
· Warm pizza sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Mix & Form: Gently combine all patty ingredients (except cheese slices) in a bowl. Form into 4 equal patties, making an indentation in the center of each (to prevent doming).
- Cook Patties: Grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat to your desired doneness (about 4-5 minutes per side for medium).
- Add Cheese: In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty and cover to melt.
- Toast Buns: Butter the buns and toast on the grill or in a skillet.
- Assemble: Serve the cheesy patty on the toasted bun with a small bowl of warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Pro Tips & Variations
· The Bread Matters: English muffins, ciabatta rolls, or Texas toast make excellent, sturdy bases.
· Cheese Blend: Use a mix of low-moisture mozzarella (for melt) and provolone (for flavor).
· “Supreme” Style: Sauté diced onions, green peppers, and mushrooms before mixing into the meat or piling on top.
· “Meat Lover’s”: Mix finely chopped cooked sausage or crumbled bacon into the ground beef.
· “White Pizza Burger”: Swap red sauce for a ricotta mixture (ricotta + Parmesan + garlic & herb).
· Make it a “French Bread Pizza Burger”: Use a halved loaf of French bread as the base, top with meat and cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden.
· Kid-Friendly: Use mini slider buns and let everyone customize their own.
Enjoy your delicious, messy, totally satisfying pizza burger creation! It’s the best of both comfort food worlds.