Pizza Burgers Recipe

Irresistible Pizza Burgers Recipe: Two Favorites in One Bite

Biting into a mouthwatering pizza burger that combines two classic comfort foods into one epic meal.

The crispy edges and melted cheese create an irresistible fusion that will make your taste buds dance.

Juicy beef patties get a flavor boost from zesty marinara and gooey mozzarella, creating a culinary mashup you’ll absolutely adore.

Crisp lettuce and fresh toppings add a perfect crunch to this indulgent dish.

Weekend gatherings suddenly become more exciting with this crowd-pleasing recipe that everyone can customize.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of flavors that seamlessly blend the best of pizza and burger worlds.

Let’s transform your next meal into a memorable flavor adventure that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips For Juicy And Cheesy Pizza Burgers

  • Boost Beef Flavor: Mix herbs and spices thoroughly into ground beef to ensure even distribution, enhancing the overall taste profile of your pizza burgers.
  • Perfect Patty Technique: Create a small indentation in the center of each patty to prevent bulging and promote uniform cooking, resulting in juicier burgers.
  • Cheese Melting Mastery: Cover the skillet or grill to trap heat and help cheese melt evenly, creating a gooey, appetizing topping for your burger.
  • Customize Your Creation: Experiment with different pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or different cheese varieties to personalize your pizza burger experience.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare patties in advance and store in the refrigerator, making weeknight dinners quick and hassle-free.

How To Store Pizza Burgers The Easy Way

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Microwave Reheating: Warm individual burgers on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds, checking midway to ensure even heating and prevent dryness.
  • Oven Reheating: Restore crispy texture by placing burgers on a baking sheet, covering loosely with foil, and warming at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
  • Prevent Sogginess: Keep buns separate during storage and reheat them briefly to maintain their original crispness and prevent moisture buildup.

What Goes Great With Pizza Burgers

  • Pair with Zesty Red Wine: Select a bold, medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich marinara and beef flavors, creating a perfect Italian-inspired dining experience.
  • Crisp Salad Sidekick: Prepare a light arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan, and a simple lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty burger's richness and add a fresh contrast.
  • Cool Craft Beer Match: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that cuts through the burger's richness, with enough flavor intensity to stand up to the robust marinara and savory beef.
  • Fresh Herb Garnish Bonus: Sprinkle extra fresh basil or oregano on top to enhance the pizza burger's aromatic profile and provide a bright, herbaceous finish to each bite.

Fun Toppings For Pizza Burgers

  • Spicy Pepperoni Punch: Kick up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños and extra pepperoni to create a fiery pizza burger experience that packs a flavorful punch.
  • Mediterranean Mix: Swap traditional toppings with crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce for a Greek-inspired burger variation.
  • Veggie Supreme: Replace ground beef with a plant-based patty and load up with roasted bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach to transform the classic pizza burger into a vegetarian delight.
  • Buffalo Chicken Fusion: Use ground chicken seasoned with buffalo sauce, top with blue cheese crumbles, and add crispy bacon for a tangy and zesty burger alternative.

Pizza Burgers FAQs Answered

  • What makes these pizza burgers different from regular burgers?

These pizza burgers combine classic burger elements with Italian pizza flavors by using marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and optional pizza toppings like pepperoni and olives, creating a unique fusion dish that tastes like a pizza and burger in one.

  • Can I use different ground meats for this recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or ground chicken work great as alternatives to beef. Just ensure the meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature for food safety.

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! Kids typically love these pizza burgers because they combine two favorite foods – pizza and burgers – into one delicious meal. The familiar flavors and customizable toppings make them a hit with children.

  • How can I make these burgers healthier?

You can use lean ground beef or turkey, choose whole wheat buns, add extra vegetables like fresh tomatoes or spinach, and control the amount of cheese and marinara sauce to reduce calories while maintaining great flavor.

Why Pizza Burgers Are The Best Of Both Worlds

  • Flavor Fusion Revolution: Combine the best of pizza and burger worlds in one mouthwatering dish that delivers explosive Italian-American taste sensations without complicated cooking techniques.
  • Quick Weeknight Meal Magic: Prepare these pizza burgers in just 15-20 minutes, making them perfect for busy families craving delicious comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Customizable Culinary Adventure: Easily personalize burgers by adding favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or extra cheese, allowing everyone to create their perfect handheld meal with minimal effort.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Simplicity: Requires basic ingredients and straightforward cooking methods that appeal to both kids and adults, transforming a classic burger into an exciting dinner experience that sparks mealtime excitement.

Everything You Need For Pizza Burgers

Main Protein:
  • Ground Beef: A savory base that forms the core of the burger, rich in protein and flavor. Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option.
  • Pepperoni Slices: Classic pizza topping that adds a spicy and meaty dimension to the burger.
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: A blend that brings traditional pizza flavors to the burger. Use fresh ground pepper for a more robust taste.
  • Fresh Basil, Fresh Parsley: Bright herbs that add a fresh, aromatic touch to the final dish.
Cheese and Sauce:
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Soft, melty cheese that provides a classic pizza-like experience. Select whole milk mozzarella for better melting.
  • Marinara Sauce: Tangy tomato sauce that brings authentic pizza flavor. Choose a high-quality jarred sauce or homemade version.
Bread:
  • Burger Buns: The foundation of the burger, preferably toasted for extra texture and flavor.
Optional Toppings:
  • Black Olives: Adds a salty and briny element to complement the other ingredients.
Cooking Ingredient:
  • Olive Oil: Used for cooking the burger patties, provides a light flavor and helps prevent sticking.

Steps To Make Pizza Burgers With A Twist

Step 1: Craft Flavorful Meat Patties

Mix ground beef with a sprinkle of Italian herbs, a dash of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently shape the meat into four generous patties, creating a slight dimple in the center to help them cook evenly and prevent puffing up.

Step 2: Sizzle the Patties to Perfection

Warm a skillet or fire up the grill with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the patties with care, letting them sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a delicious golden-brown crust and reach your preferred level of doneness.

Step 3: Transform into Pizza Burgers

Top each patty with:
  • Marinara sauce
  • Melty mozzarella cheese

Cover the cooking surface to help the cheese melt into a gooey blanket of deliciousness.

Step 4: Build Your Burger Masterpiece

Layer your creation on toasted buns, adding extra pizza-inspired toppings like:
  • Crispy pepperoni slices
  • Tangy black olives
  • Fresh basil or parsley leaves
  • Additional marinara sauce for dipping

Step 5: Serve and Devour

Place the burgers on plates and get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering fusion of burger and pizza that will make taste buds dance with joy. Grab napkins and prepare for a flavor explosion!

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Pizza Burgers Recipe

Pizza Burgers Recipe


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4.6 from 13 reviews

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

Description

Delectable pizza burgers blend Italian and American culinary traditions into one mouthwatering masterpiece. Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and perfectly seasoned beef create an irresistible fusion you’ll crave with every savory bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef (80/20 for juicier burgers)
  • ¼ cup (60 grams) pepperoni slices, chopped (optional)

Cheese and Sauce:

  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese (or provolone)
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (for grilling or frying)
  • 4 burger buns, toasted
  • ¼ cup (40 grams) black olives, sliced (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the meat mixture by combining ground beef with robust Italian herbs, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently shape the seasoned beef into four uniform patties, creating a slight indentation in the center to ensure even cooking and prevent bulging.
  2. Warm a skillet or grill to medium-high heat, lightly coated with fragrant olive oil. Carefully place the meat patties onto the hot surface, cooking for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side until a perfect golden-brown exterior develops and the interior reaches the desired level of doneness.
  3. Transform the patties into pizza-inspired delights by generously spooning marinara sauce over each burger. Layer a slice of creamy mozzarella cheese on top, then cover the cooking surface to allow the cheese to melt luxuriously and create a gooey, pizza-like finish.
  4. Construct the burgers by nestling each savory patty onto a toasted bun. Enhance the flavor profile by adorning the burgers with classic pizza toppings like crisp pepperoni slices, briny black olives, and a sprinkle of aromatic fresh basil or parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
  5. Present the pizza burgers immediately, accompanied by a small ramekin of additional marinara sauce for those who desire an extra dip of tangy, herbaceous goodness.

Notes

  • Adjust the seasoning by experimenting with different Italian herb blends or adding garlic powder for extra flavor depth.
  • Prevent burger patties from puffing up in the center by creating a small indentation, which helps them cook more evenly and maintain a flat surface.
  • Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess grease while keeping the burger juicy and flavorful.
  • Customize the burger for different dietary needs by using ground turkey, plant-based patties, or gluten-free buns for alternative protein options.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 500
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg
Jenna Stewart

Jenna Stewart

Head Chef & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Farm-to-Table Cooking; Seasonal Menu Development; Visual Plating Techniques; Flavor Layering and Simple Prep Hacks.

Education

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY

  • Program: Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern techniques, global cuisines, and flavor development, combined with real-world experience in restaurant operations, business management, and industry internships.

Jenna Stewart is the inventive spirit behind many of our standout dishes at Pro of Delicious Creations. A proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, she built her skills mastering both classic recipes and fresh, modern twists.

Now, Jenna celebrates the beauty of seasonal, local ingredients, often sourced from her garden and nearby markets, to create recipes that are bursting with flavor yet easy to follow. When she’s not experimenting in the kitchen, Jenna loves exploring nature on hikes and discovering new treasures at local co-ops.

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