When dinner time rolls around, you don’t have to pick between two favorites. These pizza burgers combine pizza and burgers into a single, satisfying meal that’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.
Pizza Burgers – Two Favorite Comfort Foods in One!
Pizza and burgers are classic comfort foods, so combining them feels natural. These pizza burgers are simple enough for a weeknight dinner and satisfying enough for a relaxed weekend meal. Expect juicy beef, melty cheese, tangy marinara, and toasty buns—everything a comfort meal should be.
Ingredients
Everything you need to make pizza burgers, with a few easy substitutions.
- 1 pound ground beef – Choose 80/20 or 85/15 for juicier patties. Leaner beef like 90/10 can dry out. Ground Italian sausage or a beef/pork blend also work.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt + ¼ teaspoon black pepper – Kosher salt seasons evenly; black pepper adds a gentle bite.
- 1 teaspoon dried basil + 2 teaspoons dried oregano – These herbs give the burgers a familiar pizzeria flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated – Fresh garlic is best. Substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
- ¾ cup pizza sauce, divided – Use your favorite jarred sauce or homemade marinara.
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese – Mozzarella melts beautifully; provolone or shredded Italian blend are good alternatives.
- 12 pepperoni slices – Optional, but they add that unmistakable pizza touch. Turkey pepperoni works too.
- Fresh chopped basil (optional) – A finishing touch for color and brightness.
- 4 hamburger buns – Any style is fine: classic, brioche, pretzel, or ciabatta.
How To Make A Pizza Burger
Combine the seasoned beef with a bit of sauce, form patties, sear them, simmer briefly in sauce, then top with cheese and pepperoni. Finish on toasted buns with extra sauce and basil.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef with salt, pepper, basil, oregano, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce.
- Divide into four equal portions and shape into patties.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium and cook the patties about 3 minutes per side.
- Pour ½ cup of pizza sauce into the pan around the burgers so they can simmer in the sauce.
- Top each patty with a slice of mozzarella and three pepperoni slices.
- Cover the pan and cook another minute, until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles.
- Toast the buns if desired, then assemble each burger with extra sauce and fresh basil to serve.
Recipe Tips
- Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for best texture and juiciness. Adjust cooking time to reach your preferred doneness.
- Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but 1 teaspoon garlic powder is an acceptable substitute.
Make It A Meal
Serve these pizza burgers with a simple salad and a cold drink for a balanced, crowd-pleasing meal.
Pizza Burgers
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Equipment
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Mixing bowl
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Measuring spoons
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Non-stick skillet
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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
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Combine ground beef, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of sauce in a large bowl.
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Divide into 4 equal portions and form into patties.
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Heat a non-stick skillet over medium and add the patties.
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Cook about 3 minutes per side.
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Add ½ cup of sauce to the pan around the burgers.
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Top each patty with a slice of mozzarella and three pepperoni slices.
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Cover and cook another minute until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles.
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Toast the buns if desired, assemble with extra sauce, and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
Freezer: Freeze patties (without toppings or buns) between parchment in a sealed 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: Patties can be shaped the day before and stored covered in the fridge for easy weeknight dinners.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guide.
Additional Info
Pizza Burgers Recipe FAQs
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a substitute for beef.
Mozzarella is recommended for its melt, but provolone or cheddar are tasty alternatives.
Try french fries, a side salad, fresh fruit, or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.
More Main Dishes
- Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Chicken and Gravy
- Crockpot 3 Packet Roast
