Why choose between burgers and pizza when you can have both!
These pizza burgers start with generously seasoned ground beef & pepperoni patties topped with a cheesy pepperoni pizza topping.
What is a Pizza Burger?
This pizza burger is just like it sounds – a juicy pizza-inspired ground beef patty topped with our favorite pizza toppings.
- Customizable! Just like a pizza, you can add in or switch out the ingredients at will!
- Kids love pizza burgers! Make a custom topping for each of your little “customers!”
- Perfect for making ahead, just form the ground beef with pepperoni mixture into patties and freeze with a layer of wax paper in between.
Ingredients for Pizza Burgers
Ground beef – Lean ground beef is a classic for burgers, but any ground meat will do. Go ahead and substitute ground chicken or turkey for less fat and fewer calories. Use your favorite veggie burger as the foundation for the pizza toppings if preferred!
Mix-ins & Toppings – Try variations with different meats or grated cheeses. Instead of pepperoni, make the patty mix with cooked sausage, onions, mushrooms, bacon crumbles, or diced ham. Grate in some smoked provolone, Gruyere, or feta. For the best homemade flavor, try this amazing pizza sauce recipe!
Bun – Feeling ambitious? Make homemade hamburger buns or try this crusty homemade pizza dough recipe. Or, serve your pizza burgers on your favorite packaged sesame seed buns.
How to Make Pizza Burgers
- In a skillet, fry bell peppers with diced pepperoni, then cool (per recipe below).
- Mix ground beef with cheese, seasonings, and pepperoni mixture. Form into patties.
- Cook patties in a skillet until almost done.
- Spread buns with garlic butter and toast under the broiler.
- Top patties with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni slices, and place patties on a rack under the broiler to melt.
- Place burgers on buns and serve with extra heated pizza sauce for dipping if desired.
Tips for the Best Pizza Burgers
- Make them extra cheesy! After toasting the buns, spread them with sauce and extra cheese and pop them under the broiler to melt.
- For tender burgers, avoid overcooking or over-mixing. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at 160° F.
- This is a juicy sandwich! If your homemade buns have an extra chewy crust, spread some melted butter on the top to soften them for easier bites!
- Let the flavors meld. After making the ground beef mixture, allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight for the seasonings to fully penetrate and intensify.
Storing Pizza Burgers
Leftover pizza burgers will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze, cool completely without the cheese or sauce, and layer between sheets of parchment or wax paper for up to 4 months. Reheat in the oven in a foil pack, then broil with the sauce and toppings added.
Pizza-Inspired Perfection
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Pizza Burger
Equipment
Ingredients
Beef Patties
- ⅓ cup finely diced pepperoni
- ¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Serving
- ¼ cup pizza sauce plus additional for dipping if desired
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup thin pepperoni slices
- 1 tablespoon garlic butter or butter
- 4 brioche buns or hamburger buns
Instructions
- In a medium skillet, cook the pepperoni and green pepper over medium heat until the green pepper is tender, about 4 minutes. Cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and the pepperoni mixture. Form into 4 ½-inch thick patties.
- Heat the olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat and add the patties. Cook 4-6 minutes per side or until they reach 150°F. (see notes for other cooking methods)
- Meanwhile, heat the pizza sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Turn the broiler on to high. Spoon 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over each patty and top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. Broil 1-2 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown. Rest for 3 minutes or until the beef patties reach 160°F.
- Meanwhile, spread garlic butter on the buns and broil 1-2 minutes or until lightly toasted.
- Place a beef patty on each bun to serve. Warm additional pizza sauce for dipping if desired.
Notes
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Prepare the beef patties as directed and grill for 6-8 minutes per side or until cooked through.
Turn the grill off and top with the warmed sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Close the lid of the grill and let the patties rest until the cheese has melted. Chill leftover pizza burgers for 3-4 days in the fridge. Freeze them without cheese or sauce between parchment for up to 4 months. Reheat in the oven, then broil with sauce and toppings.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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