Description
Old School Pizza Burgers are a delicious retro comfort food that combines the flavors of classic cheeseburgers and pizza in one easy-to-make meal. Featuring seasoned ground beef with pizza sauce, melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and optional toppings like pepperoni and bell peppers, these burgers are baked to bubbly perfection on toasted buns. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering, they bring a nostalgic twist to family-friendly eating.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 6 hamburger buns, split in half
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup diced pepperoni
- ¼ cup diced bell peppers or onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat to ensure the burgers are not greasy.
- Add Seasonings and Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning and pizza sauce into the cooked beef. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors together. For extra flavor, you can add optional ingredients like garlic powder, diced pepperoni, or diced bell peppers and onions at this stage.
- Prepare the Buns: Arrange the hamburger bun halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Evenly spoon the meat and sauce mixture over each bun half to create the burger base.
- Add Cheese: Generously top each meat-covered bun half with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. If you like, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top as well to enhance the melt and cheesy flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the pizza burgers warm, either open-faced or topped with the remaining bun halves. Let them cool slightly before serving, and enjoy with your favorite sides.
Notes
- You can customize your pizza burgers by adding different toppings like mushrooms, olives, or extra herbs.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the cheese before baking.
- For a lower-fat version, use lean ground beef and reduced-fat cheese.
- Serve with a side salad or oven-baked fries for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pizza burgers, retro recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, pizza cheeseburger, baked burgers
