If you’re craving the irresistible flavors of pizza and the hearty comfort of a classic burger, these Pizza Burgers are about to become your new weeknight obsession. Juicy, savory, and oozing with melted mozzarella, they bring together everything you love about pizza—right in a toasty burger bun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two Comfort Foods, One Bite: This recipe combines the best of both worlds—pizza’s cheesy, saucy goodness and the classic ease of a burger.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 30 minutes, Pizza Burgers make dinner a total breeze—even on your busiest nights.
- Kid-Approved: Little ones (and grown-ups!) can’t get enough of the melty mozzarella and pizza flavors packed into every bite.
- Totally Customizable: From toppings to buns, it’s so easy to make each Pizza Burger your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Pizza Burgers so magical is how a short, simple ingredient list transforms into serious flavor. Each one is chosen to deliver iconic pizza taste and that satisfying burger texture—don’t skip a single element!
- Ground Beef: The heart of the burger—choose lean or regular beef for a juicy bite (and feel free to swap for ground turkey if you like).
- Chopped Onion: Just a bit of onion adds gentle sweetness and depth to the meaty filling, balancing all those bold pizza flavors.
- Pizza Sauce: Use your favorite jarred or homemade pizza sauce—it’s the key to that tangy, herby, tomato-rich taste.
- Canned Mushroom Stems and Pieces: These bring earthy, umami goodness and classic pizzeria vibes—simply drain before using.
- Sugar: This tiny spoonful enhances the tomatoes and rounds out the sauce, making each bite smoother and more robust.
- Dried Oregano: Pizza’s signature herb! Oregano gives you that unmistakable, savory aroma and flavor.
- Hamburger Buns: Toasted buns keep things sturdy and toasty—perfect for piling on the saucy filling and gooey cheese.
- Shredded Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into a glorious blanket, just like the best slice of pizza.
Variations
Want to give these Pizza Burgers your own spin? You’ve got endless options! Switch up toppings, sauces, or protein to fit your tastes or dietary needs—these are truly a make-it-your-way meal.
- Make it Meatless: Swap ground beef for plant-based crumbles, or even chopped, sautéed mushrooms for a fully vegetarian burger.
- Pepperoni Power: Fold in chopped pepperoni with the beef mixture or sprinkle slices on top before broiling for a true pizza party.
- Cheese Please: Use provolone, shredded cheddar, or a mix of Italian cheeses if mozzarella isn’t your thing.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free buns or serve the pizza-topped filling over roasted zucchini boats.
- Extra Veggies: Add bell peppers, olives, or even spinach into the meat mixture for a nutrient boost (and fun color!).
How to Make Pizza Burgers
Step 1: Brown the Beef and Onion
Start by heating a large cast-iron (or any heavy) skillet over medium heat. Add your ground beef and chopped onion, stirring often and breaking the beef into crumbles as it cooks. In just a few minutes, the onion will soften and the beef will turn golden and fragrant. Be sure to drain off any excess fat—this keeps your Pizza Burgers from getting greasy.
Step 2: Add the Pizza Magic
Time to channel all the pizza flavors! Stir in the pizza sauce, well-drained mushrooms, sugar, and dried oregano. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated and delicious. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes so the flavors can mingle and that filling thickens up slightly. It’ll smell absolutely amazing.
Step 3: Assemble and Cheese It Up
Arrange your split, toasted hamburger buns on a baking sheet (no need to grease it). Spoon the savory pizza beef mixture onto each open bun, then shower each one generously with shredded mozzarella. The more cheese, the meltier the final result—so don’t be shy!
Step 4: Broil to Melty Perfection
Pop the baking sheet under the broiler, about four inches from the heat. Watch closely as the cheese bubbles and melts—this usually takes just 2 minutes. As soon as you see golden patches and gooey strings, your Pizza Burgers are ready to devour. Serve hot!
Pro Tips for Making Pizza Burgers
- Buttery Bun Trick: Lightly butter your hamburger buns before toasting for extra crispiness and flavor—this tiny step keeps them sturdy under the saucy filling.
- Broiler Watch: Don’t walk away while the burgers broil; mozzarella can bubble (and burn) fast, so keep your eyes peeled for that ideal, melty moment.
- Customize Your Sauce: If you like a little zip, add crushed red pepper or a pinch of garlic powder to the meat mixture for a spicier, more complex flavor.
- Great for Batch Cooking: Double the recipe filling—you can freeze extras and make Pizza Burger night even easier next time!
How to Serve Pizza Burgers
Garnishes
Garnish your Pizza Burgers with a sprinkle of dried oregano or fresh basil for a pop of herby brightness. If you want extra pizzazz, add a few sliced black olives or red pepper flakes on top. That final flourish makes each bite look as irresistible as it tastes.
Side Dishes
These burgers pair perfectly with classic sides like crispy oven fries, a fresh green salad, or crunchy carrot and celery sticks. For a true pizza parlor feel, serve with garlic knots or a bowl of minestrone soup—everyone will love the “pizzeria at home” vibe!
Creative Ways to Present
Make Pizza Burgers party-ready by serving them open-faced on a platter or as sliders for game night. Stack them high and sprinkle extra mozzarella on top for dramatic, melty towers. For a fun family dinner, set up a toppings bar with fresh veggies, olives, and mini pepperoni so everyone can build their own masterpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra Pizza Burgers, cool them to room temperature first. Store the assembled burgers (or just the filling) in an airtight container in the fridge—they’ll keep well for up to 3 days without losing their flavor.
Freezing
The pizza beef filling is ideal for freezing! Spoon leftovers into a freezer-safe bag or container, squeeze out the air, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for a quick dinner, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed before assembling with toasted buns and cheese.
Reheating
Reheat leftover Pizza Burgers in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until hot and the cheese is melty again (about 7–10 minutes). For a single burger, the microwave also works—just cover with a paper towel and heat in 30-second bursts to avoid sogginess.
FAQs
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Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken both work beautifully in Pizza Burgers, giving you a lighter twist while still delivering tons of flavor. Just cook until no longer pink and drain any excess liquid before adding the sauce and toppings.
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What’s the best way to toast the hamburger buns?
For best results, lightly butter the cut sides and toast them in a skillet or under the broiler until golden and crisp. This adds flavor and also helps your buns stand up to the saucy filling.
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Can I make Pizza Burgers ahead for a party?
Definitely! Make the beef filling a day in advance and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the filling, assemble the burgers, and broil with cheese just before guests arrive. They’re also perfect as a make-your-own slider station for get-togethers.
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What other toppings can I add to Pizza Burgers?
Just like pizza, these burgers love variety! Try sliced pepperoni, sautéed bell peppers, black olives, jalapeños, or a sprinkle of parmesan. Let everyone mix and match for their perfect Pizza Burger bite!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited to make these Pizza Burgers as I am every time they hit our table. They’re fast, endlessly fun to customize, and absolutely packed with happy, pizza-parlor flavor—so grab some buns and get ready for smiles all around!
Print
Pizza Burgers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
Pizza Burgers are a delicious twist combining the flavors of pizza with the convenience of a burger. These hearty and cheesy burgers are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1–1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
Sauce and Toppings:
- 1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
- 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
For Serving:
- 6 hamburger buns, split and toasted
- 1–1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink, 3-5 minutes, breaking beef into crumbles. Drain.
- Prepare the Filling: Stir in the pizza sauce, mushrooms, sugar, and oregano; mix well.
- Assemble the Burgers: Spoon the beef mixture onto the toasted buns and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the assembled burgers on ungreased baking sheets. Broil 4 inches from the heat source until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Pizza Burger
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
