Pizza Burgers Recipe

Ground beef: The base of your burger, providing a rich and savory flavor.

Pizza sauce: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet tomato flavor to the burgers.

Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully over the patties, giving that classic pizza taste.

Burger buns: The vessel for your burger, providing structure and a slight sweetness.

Dried oregano: Adds a hint of earthy, herbal flavor reminiscent of pizza.

Garlic powder: Enhances the savory flavor of the beef.

Salt: Essential for seasoning the beef patties.

Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the patties.

When forming the patties, make a slight indentation in the center of each one with your thumb. This helps the burgers cook more evenly and prevents them from puffing up in the middle. Additionally, for an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture for a subtle kick.

• 80% lean ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• 80% lean ground beef - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is a lighter alternative and absorbs flavors well, making it a good substitute.

• pizza sauce - Substitute with marinara sauce: Marinara sauce has a similar tomato base and seasoning, making it a suitable replacement.

• pizza sauce - Substitute with tomato paste mixed with Italian seasoning: This mixture can mimic the thick consistency and flavor of pizza sauce.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded provolone cheese: Provolone melts well and has a mild flavor similar to mozzarella.

• shredded mozzarella cheese - Substitute with shredded cheddar cheese: Cheddar adds a sharper flavor and melts nicely, providing a different but enjoyable taste.

• split burger buns - Substitute with whole wheat buns: Whole wheat buns offer more fiber and nutrients while maintaining the structure needed for a burger.

• split burger buns - Substitute with lettuce wraps: For a low-carb option, lettuce wraps provide a fresh and crunchy alternative.

• dried oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning contains oregano along with other herbs, offering a similar flavor profile.

• dried oregano - Substitute with fresh oregano: Fresh oregano can be used in slightly larger quantities to provide a more vibrant flavor.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh minced garlic: Fresh garlic offers a more robust and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.

• garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: While not the same, onion powder can provide a similar depth of flavor in a pinch.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement, offering a slightly different mineral content.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes: For a spicier kick, crushed red pepper flakes can be used in moderation.

• Allow the pizza burgers to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the burger buns soggy.
• Wrap each burger patty individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents them from sticking together.
• Place the wrapped burger patties in an airtight container or a freezer-safe resealable bag. Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Store the burger buns separately in a resealable bag or airtight container to maintain their texture. If freezing, consider wrapping each bun in plastic wrap before placing them in the bag.
• For freezing, place the airtight container or resealable bag in the freezer. Pizza burgers can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the pizza burgers in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
• Reheat the burger patties in a skillet over medium heat, in the oven at 350°F (175°C), or in the microwave until heated through. If using the microwave, cover the burger patties with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
• Warm the pizza sauce in a saucepan or microwave before assembling the pizza burgers.
• Assemble the pizza burgers by placing the reheated burger patties on the bottom halves of the burger buns, spooning over the pizza sauce, and sprinkling with shredded mozzarella cheese. Top with the top halves of the burger buns and serve immediately.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the pizza burgers on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  3. Cover the burgers loosely with another piece of foil to prevent the buns from getting too crispy.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the patties are warmed through.
  5. For an extra melty touch, remove the top foil for the last 2-3 minutes of heating.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the pizza burgers on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to keep the buns from drying out.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
  4. If the cheese isn't fully melted, continue heating in 15-second intervals until done.

• Skillet Method:

  1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Place the pizza burgers in the skillet and cover with a lid to trap the heat.
  3. Heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the patties are warmed through and the cheese is melted.
  4. If the buns start to get too crispy, you can add a splash of water to the skillet and cover immediately to create steam.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the pizza burgers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even warming.
  4. If the cheese isn't fully melted, continue heating in 1-2 minute intervals until done.

• Grill: Used to cook the beef patties to perfection, giving them a nice char and smoky flavor.

• Skillet: An alternative to the grill, perfect for cooking the patties indoors.

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining the ground beef with the seasonings.

• Spatula: Handy for flipping the patties on the grill or skillet.

• Small saucepan: Used to warm the pizza sauce while the patties are cooking.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano.

• Knife: Useful for splitting the burger buns if they are not pre-split.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for splitting the burger buns.

• Spoon: Ideal for spooning the pizza sauce over the cooked patties.

• Grater: If you are shredding your own mozzarella cheese, this tool will be essential.

• Plate: For placing the cooked patties before assembling the burgers.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the hot patties on the grill or skillet.

Pre-make the patties: Form the ground beef mixture into patties the night before and store them in the fridge.

Use store-bought sauce: Opt for a quality pizza sauce from the store to save time on preparation.

Pre-shredded cheese: Buy shredded mozzarella cheese to skip the grating step.

Toast buns in advance: Lightly toast the burger buns ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven.

Multitask: Warm the pizza sauce while the patties are grilling to streamline the process.