Name: Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 cup pizza sauce; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 6 burger buns, halved; 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Introduction

Discover the nostalgic delight of old school pizza burgers—juicy beef combined with savory pizza flavors all nestled in a toasted bun. This simple recipe brings together the best of cheeseburgers and pizza for a fun and comforting meal.

The image shows four mini pizzas on a wooden board. Each mini pizza has three visible layers: a light golden-brown crust on the bottom as the base, a bright orange-red layer of tomato sauce spread evenly on top of the crust, and a thick layer of cooked ground beef with a melted, slightly browned cheese layer on top that stretches down the sides. Small pieces of green bell pepper are visible around the board. The background is 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 your 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. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Stir in the Italian seasoning, then add the pizza sauce. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until it thickens slightly to enhance the flavors.
Step 4: Arrange the burger bun halves cut side up on a baking sheet to ensure they toast evenly.
Step 5: Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly over each bun half. Top each with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the buns are lightly toasted.
Step 7: Place the top bun on each bottom half. Let the pizza burgers cool for a minute before serving, so the cheese sets slightly.

Tips & Variations

For a more authentic pizza flavor, try using mozzarella or a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese instead of just cheddar.
Add sliced pepperoni or sautéed mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra richness and texture.
Sprinkle a little extra Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes on top before baking for an added flavor boost.

Storage

Store any leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes to maintain the crispness of the buns, or microwave for 1-2 minutes for a quicker option, though the buns may become softer.

How to Serve

The image shows three small round pizzas arranged on a white marbled surface. Each pizza has three layers: the base layer is a light beige dough crust, the middle layer is a rich red tomato sauce spread evenly, and the top layer is a mix of browned ground meat with melted, bubbly creamy white cheese that stretches slightly over the edges. In the background, out of focus, there are blurred colors of green, red, and orange, which appear to be fresh salad vegetables on a white plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or pork for the beef, but cooking times may vary slightly. Adjust seasoning accordingly for the best flavor.

What if I don’t have pizza sauce?

You can use marinara sauce or a simple tomato sauce with added garlic and herbs as a great alternative to pizza sauce.

Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 150 reviews

These Old School Pizza Burgers combine the comforting flavors of a classic burger with the irresistible taste of pizza toppings, creating a fun and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Juicy ground beef simmered in pizza sauce and seasoned with Italian herbs is piled high on toasted buns and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese for a delightful twist on traditional sliders.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 pizza burgers 1x
Category: Dinner
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 buns and melt the cheese evenly.
Cook the Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it browns. Continue cooking until fully browned and no longer pink inside. Drain excess fat carefully to avoid greasiness.
Season the Meat: Stir the Italian seasoning into the cooked beef, then pour in the pizza sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for a few minutes to thicken slightly, intensifying the flavors.
Prep the Buns: Arrange the burger bun halves cut side up on a baking sheet to prepare them for toasting.
Assemble the Pizza Burgers: Spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly over each bun half. Generously top with shredded sharp cheddar cheese to ensure a gooey, melty finish.
Bake: Place the assembled buns in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the buns are lightly toasted.
Serve: Once out of the oven, place the top halves of the buns onto the cheesy bottoms to complete the sliders. Allow to cool for a minute or two so the cheese settles, then serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute sharp cheddar with mozzarella for a more traditional pizza flavor.
To add more veggies, consider topping with sliced olives, bell peppers, or onions before baking.
For spicier flavor, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes over the assembled burgers before baking.
If preferred, use whole wheat buns for a healthier option.

Keywords: pizza burgers, pizza sliders, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, cheesy burgers, oven-baked burgers