Zesty Pizza Burgers Recipe: Two Favorites, One Sizzling Meal

Crafting the ultimate pizza burgers brings together two beloved comfort foods in a mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Cheese melts perfectly between seasoned beef patties, creating a delicious mashup that screams indulgence.

Nobody can resist the combination of crispy burger edges and classic pizza flavors.

The magic happens when marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese join the party.

Crusty bread or soft buns provide the perfect canvas for this epic mashup.

Each bite promises a burst of savory goodness that’ll make you wonder why you haven’t tried this before.

Jump into this recipe and become the hero of your next meal.

Tips to Keep Your Pizza Burger Juicy and Tasty

• Perfect Patty Technique: Create a small indentation in the center of each burger to prevent them from puffing up during cooking, ensuring even thickness and consistent doneness.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Let the cheese melt completely by covering the pan, creating a gooey, pizzeria-style topping that blends perfectly with the marinara sauce.
• Flavor Boost Hack: Add extra Italian herbs directly into the ground beef mixture for a more intense pizza-inspired flavor profile throughout the entire burger.
• Customize Toppings Wisely: Choose classic pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or fresh herbs to enhance the pizza burger experience without overwhelming the main ingredients.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare burger patties in advance and store them in the refrigerator, wrapped individually, to save time during busy weeknight cooking.

Reheating Tricks for Gooey, Melty Pizza Burgers

• Store leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Warm pizza burgers at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Add fresh cheese on top for extra melty goodness.
• Reheat individual burgers on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Separate burger patties from buns before storing to maintain crispness. Reassemble and toast buns briefly when reheating for the best texture.

What to Serve With These Pizza-Inspired Patties

• Pizza Burger Companions
• Grab a chilled Peroni or Moretti lager to cut through the rich burger's fattiness, complementing the marinara's tangy notes with its clean, refreshing finish.
• Whip up a quick arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette, and shaved parmesan to balance the burger's hearty profile and add a fresh, peppery crunch.
• Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, whose robust tannins and acidic undertones perfectly enhance the burger's savory marinara and cheese elements.
• Create a simple caprese side with fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil drizzled with olive oil, mirroring the burger's Italian-inspired ingredients and providing a light, bright counterpoint.

Pizza Burger Variations for Every Craving

• Vegetarian Pizza Burger: Replace ground beef with a plant-based patty made from black beans, quinoa, and Italian herbs. Top with vegan mozzarella for a meat-free version that captures the classic pizza burger flavor.
• Low-Carb Pizza Burger Lettuce Wrap: Swap buns for large lettuce leaves to reduce carbohydrates. Use a cheese crisp as a crunchy base and wrap the burger in fresh lettuce for a lighter alternative.
• Gluten-Free Pizza Burger Option: Use gluten-free buns or portobello mushroom caps as burger bases. Ensure all seasonings and marinara sauce are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Pizza Burger: Add crumbled feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce. Incorporate oregano and garlic into the meat mixture for an extra Mediterranean touch.

Why Pizza Burgers Make the Best Weeknight Surprise

• Pizza Burgers are a total crowd-pleaser that brings excitement to dinner time.
• Prepare these delicious burgers in just 20 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick and tasty.
• Combine two all-time favorite foods- pizza and burgers- into one mouthwatering meal that children and adults will absolutely love.
• Easily personalize these burgers by adding your favorite pizza toppings like pepperoni, olives, or extra cheese, allowing everyone to make their perfect version.

Ingredients for a Burger with Pizza Flavor

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein foundation for the burger, rich and flavorful.
• Pepperoni Slices: Classic pizza topping that adds spicy and savory notes.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that provides classic pizza taste.
• Marinara Sauce: Tangy tomato sauce that brings authentic pizza flavor.

• Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs that gives traditional pizza profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing meat's natural flavor.
• Fresh Basil, Parsley: Optional herb garnish for bright, fresh finish.

• Burger Buns: Sturdy base for holding the pizza burger components, preferably toasted.

• Black Olives: Salty, briny addition for extra pizza-like experience.

How to Make Pizza Burgers on the Stove or Grill

Step 1: Prepare Savory Beef Patties

Mix ground beef with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Shape into four patties, creating a small indentation in the center to prevent bulging during cooking.

Step 2: Sizzle the Patties

Warm olive oil in a skillet or grill at medium-high heat. Cook patties 4-5 minutes on each side until perfectly browned and cooked through.

Step 3: Transform into Pizza Burgers

Top each patty with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Cover the cooking surface for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese completely.

Step 4: Create Mouthwatering Toppings

• Crispy pepperoni slices
• Sliced black olives
• Fresh chopped basil or parsley

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the burgers immediately. Provide extra marinara sauce in a small bowl for dipping, allowing everyone to add their desired amount of saucy goodness.

Pizza Burgers Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

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

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Description

Fusion magic happens when classic pizza meets juicy burgers in this mouthwatering Pizza Burger masterpiece. Melted cheese, zesty marinara, and crispy pepperoni create an irresistible handheld delight you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef (80/20 for juicier burgers)
• ¼ cup (59 milliliters) pepperoni slices, chopped (optional)

Dairy and Cheese:

• 4 slices mozzarella cheese (or provolone)

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (118 milliliters) marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil (for grilling or frying)
• ¼ cup (37 grams) black olives, sliced (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Additional Items:

• 4 burger buns, toasted

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Instructions

1. Mix ground beef with Italian herbs, seasoning the meat thoroughly to ensure robust flavor throughout the patties. Gently shape four uniform patties, creating a subtle indentation in the center to promote even cooking and prevent bulging.
2. Warm olive oil in a heavy skillet or grill surface at medium-high temperature. Carefully place seasoned patties onto the heated surface, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust develops and meat reaches preferred doneness.
3. Generously spread marinara sauce across the surface of each cooked patty, allowing the rich tomato flavors to permeate the meat. Layer a slice of mozzarella cheese atop the sauce, then cover the cooking surface briefly to encourage complete cheese melting and integration.
4. Select toasted buns as the foundation for assembling these pizza-inspired burgers. Transfer the cheese-topped patties onto the buns, strategically arranging additional classic pizza toppings like crisp pepperoni slices, briny black olives, and vibrant fresh herbs for enhanced complexity.
5. Present the burgers immediately, accompanying with a small ramekin of extra marinara sauce to provide guests the option of additional dipping and flavor enhancement.

Notes

• Customize patty thickness for faster or slower cooking, ensuring consistent doneness without drying out the meat.
• Mix ground beef with grated Parmesan for extra Italian flavor and improved texture.
• Consider using lean ground beef to reduce greasiness while maintaining juiciness.
• Experiment with alternative cheese options like provolone or fontina for unique flavor profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg