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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Gently form the seasoned meat into 4 uniform patties, creating smooth edges and maintaining a loose texture to preserve tenderness.
- Press a shallow indentation in the center of each patty to prevent bulging during cooking and promote even heat distribution.
- Prepare a skillet or grill to medium-high heat, ready to sear the burgers with a caramelized exterior while keeping the interior juicy.
- Cook the patties for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown crust and internal temperature of 160°F for food safety.
- 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.
- Rest the burgers for 2-3 minutes after cooking to redistribute internal juices and enhance overall flavor profile.
- 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