When dinner rolls around, you don’t have to pick between two beloved comfort foods. These pizza burgers combine juicy burgers and cheesy pizza into a quick, satisfying meal that’s perfect for weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner.
Pizza Burgers – Two Favorite Comfort Foods in One!
Pizza and burgers are two classic comfort foods, so combining them feels inevitable. These pizza burgers deliver juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, savory marinara, and pepperoni on toasted buns. They’re flavorful, simple to prepare, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Everything you need to make pizza burgers, plus easy substitutions.
- 1 pound ground beef – Choose 80/20 or 85/15 for juicy burgers. Avoid very lean blends like 90/10. Ground Italian sausage or a beef/pork mix also work.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt + ¼ teaspoon black pepper – Kosher salt seasons evenly; black pepper adds a mild kick.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil + 2 teaspoons dried oregano – Classic pizza herbs to bring pizzeria flavor into the patties.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated – Fresh garlic is preferred; substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
- ¾ cup pizza sauce, divided – Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade marinara. Part goes into the patties; the rest cooks with the burgers.
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese – Use sliced mozzarella for the best melt. Provolone or a shredded Italian blend are fine alternatives.
- 12 pepperoni slices – Three per burger for that unmistakable pizza touch. Omit or use turkey pepperoni if preferred.
- Fresh chopped basil (optional) – For a fresh, bright finish.
- 4 hamburger buns – Any bun will do: classic, brioche, pretzel, or ciabatta.
How To Make A Pizza Burger
Combine the meat with seasoning and sauce, form patties, cook with extra sauce in the pan, top with cheese and pepperoni, then assemble on toasted buns.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with kosher salt, black pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a patty.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the patties. Cook for about 3 minutes per side until browned.
- Pour ½ cup of pizza sauce into the pan around the burgers so it simmers while they finish cooking.
- Top each patty with one slice of mozzarella and three pepperoni slices.
- Cover the skillet and cook for about one more minute, until the cheese melts and the sauce is bubbly.
- Toast the buns if desired, then place a burger on each bottom bun, add extra sauce and fresh chopped basil, and finish with the top bun.
Recipe Tips
- Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for moist, flavorful patties. Adjust cooking time per side to reach your preferred doneness.
- Fresh garlic yields the best flavor; substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
Make It A Meal
Pair these pizza burgers with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or fries for a complete family-friendly meal.
Pizza Burgers
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Equipment
- mixing bowl
- measuring spoons
- non-stick skillet
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- ¾ cup pizza sauce or marinara, divided
- 4 sliced mozzarella cheese
- 12 pepperoni slices
- Fresh chopped basil, optional
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce in a large bowl.
- Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form patties.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the patties. Cook about 3 minutes per side until browned.
- Pour ½ cup of pizza sauce into the pan around the burgers and let it simmer.
- Top each patty with a slice of mozzarella and three pepperoni slices.
- Cover the skillet and cook for about one more minute, until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles.
- Toast the buns while the burgers finish if you like.
- Place a burger on each bun, add extra sauce and fresh basil if desired, and serve.
Notes
Freezer: Freeze uncooked patties between parchment in a resealable bag for up to 2 months.
Thaw: Thaw patties overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Microwave for about 60 seconds or warm in a skillet until heated through.
Make-ahead: You can shape the patties a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge for easy weeknight cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be treated as an estimate.
Additional Info
Pizza Burgers Recipe FAQs
Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used as a substitute, though flavor and juiciness may vary.
Mozzarella is ideal for melt and mild flavor, but provolone or cheddar are tasty alternatives.
Try french fries, a crisp side salad, fresh fruit, or roasted vegetables for balanced sides.
More Main Dishes
- Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Chicken and Gravy
- Crockpot 3 Packet Roast
