Description
Old School Pizza Burgers combine the comforting flavors of classic pizza and juicy burgers in one easy-to-make dish. Ground beef is seasoned with Italian herbs, simmered in pizza sauce, and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese on burger buns, then baked to bubbly perfection. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal that satisfies pizza and burger cravings simultaneously.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Buns and Cheese
- 6 burger buns, halved
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled burgers.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until fully cooked, then drain any excess fat to keep the burgers juicy but not greasy.
- Season and Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning to the cooked beef, followed by the pizza sauce. Let the mixture simmer on low heat until it thickens slightly, enhancing the flavor and consistency.
- Prepare Buns: Arrange the burger buns flat side up on a baking sheet, ready for topping.
- Assemble: Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly over each bun half, then top generously with shredded sharp cheddar cheese for that melty, cheesy finish.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a deliciously warm topping.
- Serve: Add the top bun over each cheesy beef-topped bottom bun, let cool slightly, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for a different protein option.
- Feel free to add sliced pepperoni or olives on top before baking for extra pizza flavor.
- Using freshly toasted buns will add a nice crunch to the pizza burgers.
- Let the burgers rest for a minute after baking to avoid burning your mouth on hot cheese and sauce.
