Introduction

Pizza burgers combine the best of two beloved comfort foods—juicy burgers and flavorful pizza—into one delicious bite. This easy recipe puts a nostalgic twist on classic flavors, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

The image shows several small, thick mini pizzas placed on a wooden board, each with three distinct layers: a soft, golden-brown dough base, a smooth, rich red tomato sauce in the middle, and a thick top layer of cooked ground beef covered by bubbly, browned melted cheese that stretches slightly over the edge of the dough, with small pieces of green bell pepper visible near the base of the closest mini pizza. The background features a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 cup pizza sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
6 burger buns, halved
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for toasting the buns and melting the cheese.
Step 2: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up as it browns. Drain any excess fat once fully cooked.
Step 3: Stir in the Italian seasoning and then pour in the pizza sauce. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.
Step 4: Arrange the burger bun halves cut side up on a baking sheet to allow even crisping during baking.
Step 5: Spoon the beef mixture evenly over each bun half, then top each with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the buns are lightly toasted.
Step 7: Place the top bun halves on each bottom half. Let the sliders rest for a couple of minutes before serving to let the cheese set slightly.

Tips & Variations

Use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar for a more traditional pizza flavor.
Add sliced pepperoni on top of the beef mixture before adding cheese for an extra meaty bite.
Try sandwiching with toasted sesame seed buns for added texture and flavor.
For a spicier kick, mix in some red pepper flakes into the pizza sauce before simmering.

Storage

Store leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8 minutes to keep the buns crisp and the cheese melty. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

The image shows three mini pizzas arranged on a flat surface with a white marbled texture. Each pizza has a thick, light beige crust as the bottom layer. On top of the crust is a smooth layer of bright red tomato sauce. The next layer consists of small chunks of cooked ground meat scattered evenly across the sauce. Finally, the top layer is melted, golden-brown cheese that stretches slightly over the edges of the pizzas, creating a creamy and gooey texture. In the blurry background, there is a white plate with green and red vegetables. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of ground meat?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a leaner option, though the flavor and juiciness will be slightly different.

Can I prepare the beef mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely. The beef mixture can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Reheat gently before assembling the burgers to ensure everything stays warm and flavorful.

Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 124 reviews

This Old School Pizza Burger recipe combines the classic flavors of a pizza with the comforting satisfaction of a burger. Ground beef is cooked and simmered in pizza sauce with Italian seasoning, then spooned onto toasted burger buns and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese for a deliciously easy meal perfect for any occasion.

Author: Toney
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 pizza burgers 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Sauce

1 pound ground beef
1 cup pizza sauce
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Buns and Cheese

6 burger buns, halved
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready to toast the burger buns and melt the cheese evenly.
Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Once fully cooked and no longer pink, drain off any excess fat for a leaner result.
Season the Meat: Stir in the Italian seasoning, then pour in the pizza sauce. Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes until it thickens slightly, enhancing the flavors.
Prep the Buns: Arrange the burger bun halves cut side up on a baking sheet to ensure they toast evenly in the oven.
Assemble the Pizza Burgers: Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly over each bun half, then top each with a generous amount of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Bake: Place the assembled buns in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is melted, bubbly, and the buns are lightly toasted.
Serve: Place the matching top bun on each bottom bun with cheese. Allow the pizza burgers to cool for a minute or two so the cheese sets slightly before serving.

Notes

You can use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar for a more traditional pizza flavor.
For extra crispiness, broil the pizzas for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
Adding sliced pepperoni or sautéed vegetables can add more variety and flavor.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.

Keywords: pizza burger, pizza sliders, ground beef pizza, cheesy pizza burger, easy pizza burger recipe