Pizza Burgers (Printable Version)
Beef patties loaded with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni on toasted buns.
# Ingredient List:
→ Patties
01 - 1.1 lb ground beef
02 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
03 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Assembly
06 - 4 burger buns, split
07 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1.5 oz pepperoni slices
10 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Optional Toppings
13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Red chili flakes
15 - Extra pizza sauce for dipping
# How to Make:
01 - In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until evenly incorporated, then divide and shape into 4 equal-sized patties.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and juices run clear.
03 - While the patties cook, preheat the oven broiler to high. Arrange the bottom halves of the burger buns on a baking sheet.
04 - Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each bun bottom, then place a cooked patty on top.
05 - Spoon another tablespoon of pizza sauce over each patty. Layer with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, thinly sliced red onion, and bell pepper strips.
06 - Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, until the mozzarella is bubbling and fully melted.
07 - Remove from the oven. Garnish with fresh basil leaves or red chili flakes if desired, cap with the top bun halves, and serve immediately with extra pizza sauce on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The broiler melts the mozzarella into those gorgeous stretchy pulls that make everyone hover over the baking sheet waiting for the first bite.
- It takes a weeknight dinner and turns it into something kids and adults actually get excited about together.
- You probably have most of the ingredients sitting in your fridge right now, which makes this the ultimate no planning required meal.
02 -
- Do not walk away from the broiler, since the line between perfectly melted cheese and a blackened disaster is roughly thirty seconds.
- Letting the patties rest for a couple of minutes before assembly prevents the juices from turning your bun bottoms into mush.
03 -
- Toast the bun tops lightly under the broiler for about thirty seconds before assembling so they hold up against the sauce without collapsing.
- A pinch of sugar in your pizza sauce balances the acidity and makes the whole burger taste more like your favorite slice.