If you’ve ever wished you could merge your two favorite comfort foods into one epic meal, these Pizza Burgers are your dream come true. Juicy, seasoned beef patties get topped with gooey mozzarella, zesty pizza sauce, crispy pepperoni, and just the right finishing sprinkle of Parmesan, all tucked into a perfectly toasted bun. This recipe captures everything you love about pizza and burgers in a flavor-packed handheld treat that’s sure to become a new family favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Pizza Burgers lies in the short and simple list of ingredients, each bringing something special to the party. From the savory meat to the melty cheese and bold seasonings, every element plays an important role in making these burgers absurdly craveable and fun to eat.

Ground Beef (1 pound): Go for 80/20 for the juiciest burgers and the best flavor base for all those pizza toppings.
Pizza Sauce (1/2 cup): Brings zesty, herby, classic pizza flavor—use your favorite store-bought or homemade version.
Italian Seasoning (1/2 teaspoon): Adds that unmistakable pizza-shop aroma and a punch of herby flavor.
Garlic Powder (1/4 teaspoon): For the irresistible flavor of garlic bread, all mixed right in with your beef.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Essential for bringing out all the other flavors in your patty.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Gives just a bit of warmth and depth to the beef.
Hamburger Buns (4): Go with bakery buns if you can—or try sourdough for extra flavor.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (1 cup): The classic pizza melt! Freshly shredded melts even better.
Pepperoni Slices (12 slices): For that nostalgic pizzeria topping and a little spicy, savory kick in every bite.
Grated Parmesan Cheese (2 tablespoons): A sprinkle on top adds just the right amount of salty, cheesy bite.
Olive Oil (1 tablespoon, optional): Brushing the buns for toasting gives them golden edges and extra flavor.

How to Make Pizza Burgers

Step 1: Form and Season Your Patties

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix just until everything’s evenly incorporated—don’t overwork it, or you’ll lose that tender, juicy burger texture. Divide your mixture into four equal portions and shape them into burger patties about the size of your buns.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill or Skillet

Preheat your grill or a sturdy skillet over medium-high heat. You want a nice sizzle as the patties hit the surface, which helps create that delicious crust. Once hot, add the patties and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on how done you like your burgers.

Step 3: Warm the Pizza Sauce

While your burgers are cooking, pour the pizza sauce into a small saucepan and warm it gently over low heat. This keeps it nice and spreadable, and the flavors will bloom just a bit more as it heats.

Step 4: Top with Cheese and Pepperoni

When the patties have about a minute left to cook, it’s time for the grand pizza transformation. Spoon a generous quarter-cup of shredded mozzarella over each patty, then arrange three pepperoni slices on top. Cover your grill or pan briefly to help the cheese melt into bubbly, gooey perfection.

Step 5: Toast Those Buns (Optional, but Recommended!)

If you’re going for gold, give your buns a quick brush with olive oil and toast them cut-side down on the grill or in a dry pan. This gives you crispy edges, a bit of flavor, and helps prevent the sauce from making your bun soggy.

Step 6: Assemble Your Pizza Burgers

Place each cheesy, pepperoni-topped burger on a toasted bun bottom. Spoon a generous helping of warm pizza sauce over the top, sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and cap it with the bun top. Dive in while everything is hot and melty!

How to Serve Pizza Burgers

Garnishes

Finish your Pizza Burgers with a shower of extra Parmesan, a few torn basil leaves for a fresh twist, or even a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for those who like extra heat. Fresh herbs always brighten things up and make the burgers look restaurant-worthy.

Side Dishes

These burgers are hearty enough to stand alone, but they absolutely shine next to crispy garlic fries, a simple green salad, or classic potato chips. If you want to keep the pizza theme going, serve with a side of baked mozzarella sticks or roasted Italian veggies.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn Pizza Burgers into smaller sliders for a party appetizer, or cut them into halves and serve on a platter for a fun family dinner. For a playful touch, offer a “topping bar” with jarred peppers, olives, or extra pizza sauce so everyone can build their own masterpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra Pizza Burgers (lucky you!), let them cool to room temperature before wrapping each patty tightly in foil or storing in an airtight container. Keep the sauce and buns separate to avoid sogginess, and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze the cooked beef patties—just skip the mozzarella and pepperoni at this stage. Once cooled, wrap the patties in foil or plastic wrap and pop into a freezer bag. Store for up to 2 months, then thaw overnight before reheating and assembling with fresh toppings.

Reheating

To bring your Pizza Burgers back to life, reheat the patties in a covered skillet over low-medium heat until warmed through. Add mozzarella and pepperoni during the last minute, cover again to melt, then quickly assemble with reheated sauce and buns. Microwaving works in a pinch, but for the best texture, stick to the stovetop or oven.

FAQs

What type Main Course

A blend with 80/20 fat content (80 percent lean, 20 percent fat) produces the juiciest, most flavorful burgers. Leaner blends are fine but will be less succulent.

Can I make Pizza Burgers with a different protein?

Absolutely—swap the ground beef out for ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based burger alternative. Just check seasoning levels, as milder proteins might need a bit more spice.

Which pizza sauce do you recommend?

Go with any pizza sauce you genuinely love, whether it’s homemade or from a jar. Thicker sauces tend to stay on the burger better, but even a classic marinara will work in a pinch.

What are some fun topping ideas to try?

Get creative! Chopped sautéed mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers, sliced black olives, or even a drizzle of garlic butter over the bun make for amazing twists.

Can Pizza Burgers be made vegetarian?

Definitely! Use your favorite plant-based burger patty and vegetarian pepperoni. The rest of the recipe is already meat-free, so everyone can join the fun.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, once you’ve tried these Pizza Burgers, you’ll want them in your regular rotation for weeknights, parties, and pretty much any meal where you want to wow a crowd. They’re ridiculously tasty, customizable, and downright fun—go ahead, give them a try and see just how magical burger night can be!

Pizza Burgers Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 burgers 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Pizza Burgers are a fun twist on traditional burgers, combining the flavors of pizza with juicy beef patties. Topped with gooey melted cheese, zesty pepperoni, and savory Parmesan, they are sure to be a hit with your family.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Burger Patties:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Assembly:

1/2 cup pizza sauce
4 hamburger buns
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 slices pepperoni
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional for toasting buns)

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Instructions

Preheat the Grill or Skillet: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat.
Prepare the Patties: Mix ground beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 patties.
Cook the Patties: Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until desired doneness.
Assemble the Burgers: Top each patty with mozzarella and pepperoni during the last minute of cooking. Melt the cheese by covering the grill or pan.
Toast the Buns: Optionally, brush buns with olive oil and lightly toast.
Serve: Place each patty on a bun, spoon warm pizza sauce over the top, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider using garlic butter on the buns or adding sautéed mushrooms and onions.
Turkey or plant-based patties can be used for a lighter alternative.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: American