Old School Pizza Burgers
These Old School Pizza Burgers are a delicious mix of two comfort foods that will take you back to school lunches, but much better. The mix of juicy beef patties, melted mozzarella, and spicy marinara makes a flavor that takes you back to your childhood and satisfies both your burger and pizza appetites in one bite.
My son asked me why we couldn’t have pizza and burgers at the same time, so I started creating these. It was priceless to see the smile on his face when I gave him these for the first time.
Italian Pizza Burgers with Cheese
Juicy beef burgers with marinara sauce, melting mozzarella, and pizza toppings on top. The best combo of pizza and burger tastes!
- Ten Minutes of Prep Time
Time to cook: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 Minutes
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- One cup of marinara sauce
- One and a half cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- pepperoni, olives, or bell peppers
- four hamburger buns
Instructions
- Combine the Italian spice, salt, and pepper with the ground beef until they are all mixed together.
- Cut the meat into four equal pieces and form them into excellent burger patties.
- Put the pan on medium-high heat and let it become hot. Then, fry the patties for around 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- While the burgers are cooking, cut the buns in half and toast them until they are golden.
- Put marinara sauce, mozzarella, and your favorite pizza toppings on top of each burger. Cover and heat for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Put those cheesy pizza burgers on their toasted buns and serve them hot!
Tools Needed
- Big frying pan or grill pan
- Bowl for mixing
- Cups and spoons for measuring
- Spatula
The Key to Success
I’ve learned via trial and error that adding the marinara sauce at the finish of cooking keeps the burgers from getting soggy while still melting the cheese wonderfully.
Helpful Tips from the Chef
- Make patties ahead of time and refrigerate them.
- Use cast iron for the nicest crust.
- Make sure the toppings are small enough to eat.
Choosing the Right Ingredients
- 80/20 combination of ground beef for the greatest flavor
- Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded mozzarella.
- Thick marinara sauce keeps buns from getting soggy.
- Italian seasoning: Use fresh herbs wherever you can.
- Buns: Pick ones that are strong enough to hold up to toppings.
Steps to Cook in Detail
- Make the patties perfect by making a little dent in the middle. Just before cooking, season the meat. Be careful with the flesh when you shape it.
- Learn how to cook:
Put the pan or grill on high heat first. If you can, only flip once. Don’t push down on patties as they cook. - Make the pizza layer:
Heat up the marinara first. Put cheese on the patties while they are still hot. Put toppings on in a smart way. - Finish in style:
Toast the buns until they are golden brown. Put the toppings on in stages. Allow the cheese to melt all the way.
Make It Your Own
Make a topping bar and let everyone make their pizza burgers the way they like.
Every month, my family organizes a “Pizza Burger Bar” night when everyone gets to make their own mix. It’s gotten so much fun that even the neighbors want to know when the next one will be!
Q & A
- ← Which kind of beef is best?
These burgers taste and feel the best when made using 80/20 ground beef. - ← Is it okay to grill these outside?
Yes! To melt the cheese, just add toppings and close the grill lid. - ← Which toppings are the best?
Pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, or peppers are all fantastic toppings for pizza. - ← Is it okay to use turkey instead?
Yes, ground turkey will work, although the burgers might be a little drier. - ↑ Can I get these ready ahead of time?
You can shape and season the patties a day ahead of time, but you should cook them right before serving.
Conclusion
These pizza burgers are a tasty way to combine two of your favorite dishes into one meal you can eat with your hands. Great for when you can’t choose between pizza and a burger!
Nutrition Information (For One Serving)
Keep in mind that this information is only an estimate and not solid health advice.
- Four hundred fifty calories
- There are 25 grams of fat in total.
- 30 g of protein and 30 g of carbohydrates