Description
Old School Pizza Burgers combine juicy, seasoned beef patties with classic pizza flavors of tangy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, creating a nostalgic, easy-to-make comfort food perfect for family meals or gatherings. Quick to prepare and customizable, they offer a delicious fusion of two favorite dishes in one satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 burger buns
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for cooking)
Optional Toppings
- Pepperoni slices
- Fresh basil leaves
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Sautéed onions
- Bell peppers
- Black olives
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Patties: Mix the ground beef with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly combined. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a round patty about ¾ inch thick to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil it with olive oil if using. Cook patties for about 4 minutes on each side or until they reach your preferred level of doneness, forming a nice crust on the exterior.
- Add Pizza Sauce and Cheese: When the patties are almost cooked through, spoon a generous layer of pizza sauce onto each patty. Immediately sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt, about 2 minutes.
- Assemble the Burgers: Lightly toast the burger buns if desired. Place each cheesy patty on the bottom half of the bun, add any optional toppings like pepperoni or fresh basil, then finish with the top half of the bun.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Old School Pizza Burgers hot alongside your favorite sides such as fries, salad, or roasted vegetables. Enjoy the flavorful, nostalgic meal.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 beef blend for juicy, flavorful patties.
- Spread pizza sauce thinly to prevent soggy buns.
- Cover the pan when melting cheese to keep it gooey and evenly melted.
- Allow cooked patties to rest for a few minutes to lock in juices.
- Toasting buns adds texture and prevents sogginess.
- Leftover patties and buns should be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing cooked patties flat on a baking sheet before transferring to bags preserves quality.
- Reheat patties gently to retain juiciness and re-melt cheese; toast buns fresh before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg