Juicy Homemade Pizza Burgers Recipe: Two Favorites Collide

Mouthwatering pizza burgers combine two classic favorites into one incredible meal.

Crispy beef patties get topped with classic marinara and melted mozzarella cheese.

Layers of savory ingredients create an unexpected culinary experience that surprises your taste buds.

Weeknight dinners demand quick and delicious solutions that everyone can enjoy.

Comfort food reaches new heights with this creative twist on traditional recipes.

Melted cheese and zesty sauce promise a delightful dining adventure that sparks excitement.

Dive in and experience the perfect fusion of burger and pizza magic.

Pizza Burgers That Combine Two Classics In One

• Crowd-Pleasing Fusion: Transforms two beloved favorites – pizza and burgers – into one incredible meal that satisfies multiple cravings simultaneously.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Requires minimal prep time with simple ingredients, allowing busy home cooks to whip up a delicious dinner in under 30 minutes.
• Kid-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Combines classic pepperoni and Italian seasonings that children and adults alike will love, making mealtime exciting and enjoyable.
• One-Bowl Wonder: Streamlines preparation by mixing all ingredients in a single bowl, reducing cleanup and making this recipe super convenient for home chefs.

Pizza Burger Ingredient Breakdown

• Ground Beef: Hearty base for the burger, rich in flavor and provides substantial texture.
• Pepperoni, Sliced: Adds classic pizza taste, brings extra spiciness and meaty depth.

• Onion, Grated: Provides subtle sweetness and aromatic base for the burger.
• Garlic, Chopped: Intense flavor booster that complements the meat's richness.
• Dried Oregano: Signature pizza herb that brings Mediterranean warmth.
• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance overall meat flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and subtle spiciness to the burger mixture.

Pizza Burgers Savory Prep Instructions

Step 1: Craft Savory Meat Mixture

• Ground beef
• Sliced pepperoni
• Grated onion
• Chopped garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

Gently combine the ingredients, ensuring the mixture stays tender and doesn’t become tough from overmixing.

Step 2: Form Juicy Burger Patties

Divide the seasoned meat mixture into four equal portions.

Carefully shape each portion into a round, flat patty using your hands.

Press the center of each patty slightly to prevent it from puffing up during cooking.

Step 3: Sizzle and Cook Patties

Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Place the patties on the hot surface and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side.

The burgers should develop a golden-brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety.

Step 4: Add Melty Pizza Toppings

• Mozzarella cheese
• Marinara sauce
• Additional pepperoni slices (optional)

Cover the pan briefly to help the cheese melt and create a pizza-like finish.

Step 5: Serve on Burger Buns

Transfer the hot pizza burgers to toasted burger buns.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves or additional marinara sauce if desired.

Serve immediately while hot and melty.

Easy Ideas for Pizza Burgers

• Handle the meat mixture gently and mix only until ingredients are just combined to keep the burgers tender and juicy.
• Grate the onion instead of chopping to distribute its flavor more evenly throughout the burger and prevent large chunks.
• Create a small indentation in the center of each patty to help them cook evenly and prevent bulging during grilling.
• Add a slice of mozzarella cheese during the last minute of cooking to create that classic pizza-style cheese pull.
• Experiment with different pizza-inspired toppings like sliced olives, bell peppers, or additional pepperoni to personalize your burger.

Storing Pizza Burgers

• Store leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cover them carefully to prevent drying out.
• Wrap individual burgers in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen pizza burgers stay fresh for 2-3 months.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed burgers at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Add a splash of water to keep them moist.
• Heat for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. Let rest for 30 seconds before serving to distribute heat evenly.

Pizza Burger Sides to Try

• Enhance Burger Flavor with Mozzarella Cheese: Melt fresh mozzarella directly on top of the burger during the last minute of cooking to create a gooey, pizza-inspired topping that amplifies the Italian taste profile.
• Pair with Crisp Chianti Wine: Select a medium-bodied Chianti that complements the rich, savory flavors of the pepperoni and beef, cutting through the burger's richness with its balanced acidity.
• Serve with Marinara Dipping Sauce: Prepare a quick homemade marinara or use a high-quality store-bought sauce for dunking the burgers, adding an extra layer of tangy tomato flavor that echoes classic pizza elements.
• Add Garlic Parmesan Fries: Create a side of crispy fries tossed with grated Parmesan and minced garlic to complete the Italian-inspired meal and provide a crunchy texture contrast to the juicy burger.

Pizza Burgers With Topping And Bun Variants

• Gluten-Free Burger Option: Replace traditional bun with lettuce wraps or gluten-free burger buns for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegetarian Pizza Burger: Swap ground beef for plant-based Beyond Meat or black bean patties, maintaining the pizza-inspired seasonings and toppings.
• Low-Carb Pizza Burger: Skip the bun entirely and serve the patty over a bed of mixed greens with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
• Spicy Mediterranean Variation: Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped kalamata olives, and red pepper flakes to the meat mixture for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

FAQs

• What makes the meat mixture unique in this recipe?

The addition of pepperoni gives the burger patties a pizza-inspired flavor boost, creating a more complex and zesty taste profile compared to traditional burger meat.

• How do I prevent the burger patties from becoming tough?

Mix the ingredients gently and avoid overworking the meat, which can make the burgers dense and chewy. Just combine the ingredients until they are evenly distributed.

• Can I use different types of ground meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a lean ground beef blend to adjust the fat content and flavor of the pizza burgers.

• Is there a way to enhance the pizza flavor even more?

Consider adding some grated parmesan cheese directly into the meat mixture or sprinkling some Italian seasoning to intensify the pizza-like taste of the burger patties.

Pizza Burgers Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor the ultimate fusion of two beloved classics with pizza burgers, where melted cheese meets juicy beef patties. Crispy buns packed with marinara sauce and pepperoni promise a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80/20 recommended)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) pepperoni, thinly sliced
• 16 slices pepperoni

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1/4 cup (40 grams) onion, grated or finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese and Bread:

• 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese (or 4 slices)
• 4 burger buns
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) pizza sauce or marinara sauce

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly blend ground beef with pepperoni, grated onion, minced garlic, and dried oregano in a mixing bowl, ensuring seasonings are evenly distributed without compressing the meat mixture.
2. Gently form the seasoned meat into 4 uniform patties, creating smooth edges and maintaining a loose texture to preserve tenderness.
3. Press a shallow indentation in the center of each patty to prevent bulging during cooking and promote even heat distribution.
4. Prepare a skillet or grill to medium-high heat, ready to sear the burgers with a caramelized exterior while keeping the interior juicy.
5. Cook the patties for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown crust and internal temperature of 160°F for food safety.
6. During the final minute of cooking, layer marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese atop each burger, allowing the cheese to melt and create a pizza-inspired topping.
7. Rest the burgers for 2-3 minutes after cooking to redistribute internal juices and enhance overall flavor profile.
8. Serve the pizza burgers on toasted Italian herb buns, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and additional marinara sauce if desired.

Notes

• Create uniform patties by gently pressing the meat mixture together, avoiding compacting the burger to maintain a tender texture.
• Chill the formed patties for 15-30 minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape and prevent falling apart during grilling or pan-frying.
• Experiment with different pizza-inspired toppings like marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, or additional pepperoni slices to enhance the pizza burger experience.
• For a leaner option, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken while keeping the signature pizza-inspired seasonings and mix-ins.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 31 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg