Juicy Pizza Burgers (Printable)
Juicy beef patties topped with melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce on toasted buns.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the 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
→ For 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
# Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just incorporated, then shape into 4 equal-sized patties about 3/4 inch thick.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side until fully cooked through and juices run clear.
03 - While the patties cook, set the oven broiler to high. Arrange the bottom halves of the burger buns on a baking sheet lined with foil.
04 - Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly onto each bun bottom. Place one cooked patty on top of each sauced bun.
05 - Spoon another tablespoon of pizza sauce over each patty. Layer with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni slices, sliced red onion, and bell pepper strips.
06 - Slide the baking sheet under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely, until the mozzarella is fully melted and bubbling.
07 - Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves or a pinch of red chili flakes if desired. Cap each burger with the top bun half and serve immediately with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It solves the eternal debate when half the room wants pizza and the other half wants burgers.
- The broiler melts the cheese into something so gooey and golden that people genuinely gasp when you pull the tray out.
02 -
- The broiler works incredibly fast so do not walk away even for thirty seconds because burnt cheese smells terrible and lingers in your kitchen for days.
- Letting the patties rest for two minutes after cooking before assembling keeps the juices from turning your bun bottoms into soggy messes.
03 -
- Grate a little parmesan onto the bun before adding sauce for an extra layer of savory depth that nobody expects.
- If you are cooking for a crowd, prepare the patties and slice all toppings hours ahead so assembly moves like a pizza assembly line when hunger strikes.