A Simple Family Favorite for Pizza Night
Some recipes just stick with you. Not because they’re complicated or fancy, but because of the memories that come with them. These pizza burgers are exactly that kind of recipe – simple, comforting, and taste like childhood!
Pizza burgers have been one of those simple recipes in our family for years. When my girls were growing up, we had pizza-movie night almost every weekend, where we would typically make homemade pizza and rent a movie. And pizza burgers were part of that rotation. They were simple, filling, and something everyone looked forward to!
Now, years later, I’m making them with my grandkids – and it’s just as fun. The kids love helping add the cheese slices or sprinkle on their favorite toppings, and somehow it still feels like those those same cozy nights all over again.
As my daughter has said, “These just taste like home!”
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Burgers
Simple, everyday ingredients – nothing too fancy
Easy to make together – perfect for getting kids involved
Customizable – everyone can build their own “pizza”
Budget-friendly – feeds a family without breaking the bank
A comforting throwback – a recipe full of memories that brings people together
Great for busy nights – minimal prep, easy cleanup
Pizza Burger Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these.
Ground Beef: I recommend using 90% lean ground beef. It gives you great flavor without being too greasy. You can also swap in Italian sausage or do a half beef, half sausage mix for extra flavor.
Pizza Sauce: A jar of your favorite pizza sauce works perfectly here. It simmers with the beef and creates that classic pizza flavor.
Italian Seasoning: Adds an aromatic and earthy flavor to the pizza sauce.
Buns: Use sturdy hamburger buns so they hold up to the sauce. English muffins could also be used, and brioche buns are a great option. This is also a perfect way to use leftover buns – even ones you’ve frozen and thawed!
Tomato Paste: Just a small amount goes on top of each burger before the cheese. It adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: Sliced mozzarella melts beautifully and gives you that classic “pizza cheese” pull. You can also use provolone, shredded mozzarella, or an Italian blend.
Optional Toppings: This is where it gets fun – treat these like mini pizzas! Try mini pepperoni, diced green peppers, onions, or jalapenos (from the jar), sliced black olives, fresh cut chives, or anything your family loves!
How to Make Pizza Burgers
These come together in just a few easy steps.
Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until it is fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
Tip: One thing that makes browning ground meat easier for me, is to use a wooden spatula and make horizontal and vertical lines, separating the meat into even pieces. When I put it into the pan, it’s much easier to pull apart for browning!
Add the sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer until thickened and flavorful.
Toast the buns: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and place the bun halves cut-side up on a baking sheet. Lightly toast for a few minutes until they are lightly golden. This step helps prevent soggy buns, which nobody wants!
Assemble the burgers: Spoon the beef mixture onto each toasted bun half. Add a small amount of tomato paste and spread lightly.
Top each burger with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
Bake: Return to the oven and bake until that cheese is melty and bubbly.
Serve warm: Add any extra toppings like fresh cut chives, grated Parmesan, or chili pepper flakes and enjoy right away.
How to Serve Pizza Burgers
We usually just eat these on their own since they’re so filling, but you can easily round out the meal with any of these ideas:
For a Quick Weeknight: I’ll just toss together a simple side salad, put out a bowl of fresh fruit, or have with some veggies and dip. These balance out the savory pizza sauce and tomato paste perfectly.
For the Little Ones: The younger kids are always up for a treat of their favorite chips or some baked French fries.
Hosting Tip: If you’re feeding for a crowd or just have a house full of always-hungry teenagers, this recipe can easily be doubled. I’ve even made them as sliders for a party appetizer. And let me tell you, they disappear in minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?
The secret is the pre-toasting step (Step 4). Toasting the bun halves for 3 to 5 minutes creates a “barrier” that helps to prevent the sauce from soaking into the bread. For extra protection and added flavor, lightly brush the buns with butter, garlic butter, or olive oil before toasting.
Can I add more toppings?
Absolutely! Treat these like mini-pizzas. Before adding the cheese, try topping the beef mixture with mini pepperoni, diced green peppers, or sliced black olives. Or, whatever your pizza topping preferences are!
What kind of cheese should I use?
For the best “cheese pull,” use low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella slices. You can also use provolone slices, shredded mozzarella, or shredded Italian cheese. Try turning on the broiler for the last 60 seconds of baking to get a golden and bubbly top.
Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely! You can prepare the beef mixture up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, just reheat the meat in a skillet before assembling and baking the buns.
You can also freeze the beef mixture for up to 3 months. After the mix cools, store in an airtight bag or container. Then, simply thaw in the fridge, reheat in a skillet, assemble, and bake.
Pizza Burgers
Equipment
- 1 Large (12-inch) skillet
- 1 Large baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- 1 14 oz. jar pizza sauce
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 oz. tomato paste
- 4 hamburger buns (split)
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the pizza sauce and Italian seasoning. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
- While the sauce simmers, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Arrange the bun halves, cut-side up, on a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Lightly toast the buns in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until the edges are just starting to brown.
- Spoon the beef mixture evenly onto each toasted bun half.
- Top each pizza burger with about 1 ½ teaspoon of tomato paste, spreading it slightly, then place one slice of mozzarella cheese over each.
- Return to the oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling. Serve warm.
Notes
Serving size:
- Our suggested serving size is two pizza burgers. This recipe will make 4 servings based on this serving size.
To store:
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the beef mixture up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, just reheat the meat in a skillet before assembling and baking the buns.
To reheat:
- If you have already-assembled leftovers, the best way to revive them is in the air fryer or oven at 325°F (165°C) for 5 to 6 minutes or until warmed through. This keeps the bun crisp, whereas the microwave will make the bread chewy or soggy.
To freeze:
- The cooked beef mixture freezes beautifully! After completing Step 2, let the beef mixture cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Then, complete Steps 3 to 7.
- Note: Do not freeze the fully assembled burgers, as they will become mushy upon thawing.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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