Pizza Burgers are seasoned ground beef patties, layered with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, veggies, and topped with spoonfuls of warm pizza sauce. Served on a toasted bun, spread with garlic butter, these are a delicious lunch or dinner.
I remember eating pizza burgers when I was growing up. They were basically a ground beef patty with a slice of mozzarella cheese, some pepperoni piled on top, then topped with pizza sauce, and served on a bun.
This is basically how I served them to my children when they were growing up, and they loved them. Over the years, as I have grown up, so has the way I serve these.
Pizza Burgers are a combination of 2 foods our family, especially the grandchildren, really like. Burgers and pizza. They can be served very plain, or loaded with different toppings. Sometimes, I have even put some of the pepperoni, or veggies, in between the patties.
These are a delicious way to stretch a food budget, and make people feel like they are eating something special. Plan on having extra napkins or washcloths around, because they get very messy.
When I prepared these last week, I made smaller ones (slider size) for my grandchildren, and a double stacked loaded one for my husband.
HOW TO MAKE A LOADED PIZZA BURGER:
INGREDIENTS:
(Full list of ingredients and instructions in printable recipe card.)
No stick cooking spray
ground beef
onion, diced
green bell pepper, diced
jalapenos, diced
garlic salt
seasoned salt
parmesan cheese, shredded
slices mozzarella cheese
ciabatta buns (or brioche)
butter, softened
garlic powder
pizza sauce
pepperoni
banana peppers
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl, place the ground beef, onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, garlic salt, seasoned salt, and parmesan cheese. Combine the ingredients well. (I use my hands to mix) Mix just until combined.
Divide the mixture into 8 even sized balls. Shape and press into patties to fit the buns.
Place 1 slice of the mozzarella cheese onto 4 of the patties. Top each one with another burger patty and press edges together to seal. Lightly press the patties together.
Spray a cast iron skillet or grill pan with no stick cooking spray. Heat over a medium heat. Place the burger patties in the pan, and cook about 5 minutes on each side, to reach temperature of 160-165 degrees F.
Meanwhile, place the pizza sauce in a small pan and heat on low.
Stir together the butter and the garlic powder. Spread mixture of top and bottom of the buns. Toast in a skillet, under the broiler, or on the grill until light golden brown.
Turn the burger patties off and add 1 slice of cheese to each. Then top each with 4 slices of pepperoni, and the banana peppers. Top each with the remaining slices of cheese.
To serve: Place a bun on a serving plate, spoon 1 Tablespoon of pizza sauce on the bottom of bun. Carefully, place the burger patty on the bun, top with additional pizza sauce. Add the top of the bun.
Makes 4 pizza burgers
To make a pizza burger slider, make the beef patties smaller, to fit a slider bun.
Why You Will Love These Pizza Burgers
- First of all, they are delicious. The flavors of a burger and pizza together are just amazing.
- Nostalgia, so many of us ate these frequently as kids. Our school even served them at lunchtime. I made them for my own children many years ago.
- They are a budget friendly meal.
- People think they are a fun meal and unique.
Helpful Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
- Form and seal the patties carefully so they don’t break apart and release the cheese before they’re cooked through.
- I use a round cutter to shape the slice of cheese that goes in the middle of the burger patties. That will help keep the cheese in the center and not leak out.
- Make sure to toast the buns, you want that crispy bite.
What kind of buns work best for these burgers?
They need a sturdy bun like ciabatta, focaccia, or garlic bread slices. Regular hamburger buns do not work well.
Can these be made ahead of time?
The pizza burgers need to be served immediately after cooking. If you want, you could prep the burger patties, with the cheese in the center, a day ahead. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
PIZZA BURGERS
Ingredients
- No stick cooking spray
- 1 LB ground beef
- 2 TBSP onion, diced
- 2 TBSP green bell pepper, diced
- 2 TBSP jalapenos, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 12 slices mozzarella cheese, divided
- 4 ciabatta buns, or brioche
- 4 TBSP butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 1/2 cup banana peppers
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, place the ground beef, onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, garlic salt, seasoned salt, and parmesan cheese. Combine the ingredients well. (I use my hands to mix) Mix just until combined.
- Divide the mixture into 8 even sized balls. Shape and press into patties to fit the buns.
- Place 1 slice of the mozzarella cheese onto 4 of the patties. Top each one with another burger patty and press edges together to seal. Lightly press the patties together.
- Spray a cast iron skillet or grill pan with no stick cooking spray. Heat over a medium heat. Place the burger patties in the pan, and cook about 5 minutes on each side, to reach temperature of 160-165 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, place the pizza sauce in a small pan and heat on low.
- Stir together the butter and the garlic powder. Spread mixture of top and bottom of the buns. Toast in a skillet, under the broiler, or on the grill until light golden brown.
- Turn the burger patties off and add 1 slice of cheese to each. Then top each with 4 slices of pepperoni, and the banana peppers. Top each with the remaining slices of cheese.
- To serve: Place a bun on a serving plate, spoon 1 Tablespoon of pizza sauce on the bottom of bun. Carefully, place the burger patty on the bun, top with additional pizza sauce. Add the top of the bun.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Form and seal the patties carefully so they don’t break apart and release the cheese before they’re cooked through.
- I use a round cutter to shape the slice of cheese that goes in the middle of the burger patties. That will help keep the cheese in the center and not leak out.
- Make sure to toast the buns, you want that crispy bite.
- They need a sturdy bun like ciabatta, focaccia, or garlic bread slices. Regular hamburger buns do not work well.
Some other sandwich ideas that are a big hit with everyone:
Hot Dogs with Homemade Hot Dog Sauce
This post was shared on Sweet Little Bluebird Weekend Potluck.
