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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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