Pizza Burgers with Pepperoni (Printable)
Beef patties loaded with pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni 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 for dipping
# How-To 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. Press a small dimple in the center of each patty to prevent puffing during cooking.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until a meat thermometer reads 160°F and the juices run clear. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
03 - Set your oven broiler to high. Arrange the bottom halves of the burger buns on a baking sheet. Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly over each bun bottom.
04 - Place one cooked patty on each sauced bun bottom. Spoon another tablespoon of pizza sauce over each patty, then layer with shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, sliced red onion, and sliced bell pepper.
05 - Slide the baking sheet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly with golden spots on the pepperoni.
06 - Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves and red chili flakes if desired. Cap each burger with the top bun half and serve immediately with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It solves the eternal pizza or burgers debate in one gloriously cheesy bite.
- Everything cooks in under twenty minutes, which makes it perfect for hectic weeknights when you still want something fun.
- Kids and adults alike treat it like a build your own adventure, piling on whatever pizza toppings they crave.
02 -
- Do not walk away from the broiler, those sixty seconds between melted and burnt go faster than you think and I have the smoke stains to prove it.
- Letting the patties rest for two minutes before assembling helps them hold their juices instead of flooding the bun.
03 -
- Shred your own mozzarella from a block rather than buying pre shredded, the melt is dramatically smoother and the flavor is noticeably richer.
- Warm the pizza sauce in a small pot before spooning it on, cold sauce straight from the jar slows down the broiling and can leave the center tasting lukewarm.