Description
Pizza Burgers combine the juicy, savory flavors of classic grilled hamburgers with the cheesy, tangy goodness of pizza toppings. This recipe features seasoned beef patties grilled to perfection, topped with melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and rich pizza sauce, all nestled inside toasted hamburger buns. Ready in just 25 minutes, these pizza burgers are a fun and flavorful twist on traditional burgers that are perfect for a quick family meal or casual get-together.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Patties
- 1 lb ground beef (80% lean / 20% fat)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For Assembling and Topping
- 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 16-24 slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Prepare Patties: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are well incorporated, then shape the mixture into 4 equal-sized patties. Let them rest to firm up slightly before cooking.
- Toast Buns: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Arrange the split hamburger buns, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Place them under a broiler until they turn golden brown and toasted. Remove the top halves of the buns after toasting and set aside for later.
- Grill Patties: Place the patties on the preheated grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and juices run clear. Ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C) for safety.
- Assemble Bottom Buns: While the burgers grill, gently warm the pizza sauce on low heat on the stovetop. Spread half of the warmed pizza sauce onto each bottom toasted bun, then sprinkle half the shredded mozzarella cheese. Layer pepperoni slices evenly on top of the cheese. Place the assembled bottoms under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts and bubbles.
- Assemble and Broil: Once patties are cooked, set each one atop the prepared bottom buns. Spoon the remaining pizza sauce over each patty, add the remaining mozzarella, and arrange additional pepperoni slices on top. Return the assembled burgers to the broiler and cook until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly, about 2-3 minutes. Finally, place the toasted top bun halves over each burger.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the pizza burgers immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy this delicious mashup of burger and pizza flavors with your favorite sides or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy patties; leaner meat will be drier.
- If you don’t have a broiler, you can melt the cheese in a hot oven set to 450°F (232°C).
- Feel free to customize toppings – mushrooms, olives, or bell peppers can add extra flavor.
- Make sure patties are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for food safety.
- Leftover pizza sauce can be refrigerated and used within a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
