Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
Enjoy a nostalgic combination of two classic comfort foods with this old-school pizza burger recipe! Juicy beef patties are seasoned and grilled to perfection, then topped with rich pizza sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and served on soft toasted buns.Customize with your favorite toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or veggies for an extra twist.It’s a simple, fun meal that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Ready in under 40 minutes, these pizza burgers are a deliciously easy way to satisfy both pizza and burger cravings in one bite
Equipment
- Skillet or grill pan
- Spatula
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Baking sheet (optional, for toasting buns)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey, if you prefer
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 hamburger buns toasted, if desired
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
- Optional toppings: pepperoni slices mushrooms, green peppers, or olives
Instructions
Prepare the Patties
- In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well using your hands or a spoon until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Shape the Patties
- Divide the seasoned ground beef mixture into four equal portions. Shape each portion into a round patty, making sure it's slightly larger than your hamburger buns since they shrink when cooking.
Cook the Patties
- Heat olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the patties in the skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked through, with an internal temperature of 160°F for ground beef.
Assemble the Pizza Burgers
- Preheat your broiler or set your oven to 375°F. After the patties are cooked, place each patty on the bottom half of a toasted hamburger bun. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of pizza sauce over each patty, spreading it evenly.
Add Cheese and Toppings
- Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pizza sauce. If you’re using extra toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, or green peppers, add them now.
Melt the Cheese
- Place the assembled burgers on a baking sheet and pop them under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes or in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on them so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Top and Serve
- Once the cheese has melted, remove the burgers from the oven. Top each pizza burger with the other half of the bun, and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
Customizations: Feel free to get creative with your toppings! You can make a "deluxe" pizza burger by adding pepperoni, bacon, or even jalapeños for a spicy kick.
For a Healthier Option: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, or swap the regular hamburger buns for whole wheat or gluten-free options.
Cooking Tips: If you’re grilling the burgers outside, make sure to oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Variations of the Recipe
You can take this recipe in a lot of different directions depending on your personal preferences:- Vegetarian Pizza Burgers: Substitute the ground beef for a plant-based burger patty and load it with veggies.
- BBQ Pizza Burger: Swap out the pizza sauce for a smoky barbecue sauce and top with cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella.
- Hawaiian Style: Add pineapple slices and Canadian bacon to create a tropical twist on the pizza burger.