Description
Old School Pizza Burgers blend the best of two favorites: juicy, seasoned ground beef topped with rich pizza sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, all nestled in a soft hamburger bun. This nostalgic recipe offers the perfect balance of cheesy, saucy, and satisfying flavors, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef (lean preferred)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Buns & Toppings
- 6 hamburger buns, split
- 1½ to 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: pepperoni slices
- Optional: green bell peppers
- Optional: red pepper flakes
- Optional: grated parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prepare for baking the assembled burgers.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the burgers from being greasy.
- Season Meat: Add garlic powder, dried oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the cooked beef. Stir well and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes to allow the spices to blend with the meat.
- Add Pizza Sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce and let the mixture simmer for 3–5 minutes. This helps thicken the sauce and infuses the beef with rich pizza flavors.
- Assemble Burgers: Place the hamburger bun halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon the meat and sauce mixture evenly onto each bun half. Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese and add optional toppings like pepperoni, bell peppers, red pepper flakes, or parmesan if desired.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the assembled pizza burgers in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a crisp and browned cheese topping, broil the burgers for an additional 1–2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove the pizza burgers from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the burgers.
- You can substitute mozzarella with a blend of cheeses like provolone or cheddar for different flavor profiles.
- Feel free to customize toppings to your liking, including olives, mushrooms, or sliced jalapeños for heat.
- Broiling is optional but adds a deliciously crispy cheese crust—monitor closely to avoid burning.
- Leftover meat mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
