Juicy Pizza Burgers (Printer-Friendly)
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 tsp Italian seasoning
03 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp 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 tbsp olive oil
→ Optional Toppings
13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Red chili flakes
15 - Extra pizza sauce for dipping
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly incorporated, then shape into 4 equal-sized patties.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and juices run clear.
03 - Preheat the oven broiler to high. Place the bottom halves of the burger buns on a baking sheet, cut side up.
04 - Spread 1 tbsp of pizza sauce onto each bun bottom. Place a cooked patty on top of each sauced bun.
05 - Spoon another tbsp of pizza sauce over each patty. Layer with shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, thinly sliced red onion, and bell pepper strips.
06 - Place the assembled tray under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and fully melted.
07 - Remove from the oven. Top with fresh basil leaves or red chili flakes if desired, then cap each with the remaining bun halves. Serve hot with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It solves the eternal dinner debate when half the table wants pizza and the other half wants burgers.
- The broiler melts everything together into a gloriously cheesy mess that tastes like a pizzeria and a backyard cookout had a delicious baby.
02 -
- Do not walk away from the broiler, those 90 seconds go from perfect to burnt faster than you can grab a spatula.
- Letting the patties rest for two minutes before assembling keeps the juices in the meat instead of running everywhere.
03 -
- Pat the pepperoni slices dry with a paper towel before topping so they crisp under the broiler instead of releasing oil everywhere.
- Toasting the bun bottoms under the broiler for just thirty seconds before adding sauce creates a barrier that keeps everything structurally sound.