If you’re craving a fun twist that combines the best of two favorite comfort foods, then this Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine juicy beef patties mixed with zesty pizza sauce and melty sharp cheddar cheese, all hugged by soft burger buns. It’s nostalgic, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual gathering. This recipe brings together the classic taste of pizza with the satisfying bite of a burger, making every mouthful a delightful experience you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, kitchen-friendly ingredients come together beautifully here, each playing a vital role in creating the fantastic layers of taste and texture that define this dish. From the hearty ground beef to the sharp cheese and aromatic Italian seasoning, every component adds its own magic.
- 1 pound ground beef: The juicy, savory base that packs protein and hearty flavor into every bite.
- 1 cup pizza sauce: Brings the classic richness and tangy tomato flavor that turns these burgers into pizza-inspired delights.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: A fragrant mix that infuses each bite with herbs like oregano and basil, elevating the overall taste.
- 6 burger buns, halved: Soft yet sturdy, these hold all the goodness together and soak up the sauces beautifully.
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Melts to a gooey, flavorful blanket, adding richness and that irresistible cheesiness.
How to Make Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by warming up your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s ready for the final bake, which melts the cheese perfectly and crisps the buns just right.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it’s cooked through and no longer pink. Make sure to drain any excess fat after cooking for a cleaner, more balanced flavor.
Step 3: Season and Sauce
Next, stir the Italian seasoning into the cooked beef—it brings that aromatic touch that screams classic pizza. Then mix in your pizza sauce and let it simmer gently until slightly thickened; this concentrates all those rich tomato flavors to perfection.
Step 4: Prepare Buns
Lay out the burger buns cut side up on a baking sheet. This is where your assembled ingredients will come together for that melty, bubbly finish in the oven.
Step 5: Assemble
Spoon the beef and sauce mixture generously onto each bun half. Then, sprinkle the sharp cheddar cheese on top for that luscious melt that completes the pizza burger vibe.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Bake the assembled buns for around 12 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling with golden spots. Once out of the oven, place the top bun on each one and let it cool just a touch before biting in.
How to Serve Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes like sliced pepperoni, chopped fresh basil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes takes these pizza burgers up a notch by introducing exciting textures and flavors that brighten each bite.
Side Dishes
These burgers pair beautifully with a crisp garden salad, oven-baked fries, or even a light coleslaw. The fresh and crunchy sides balance the rich, cheesy flavors, making the meal wonderfully satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe slider-style at parties, or build a DIY topping bar with olives, mushrooms, and extra cheese. The visual appeal combining pizza toppings with burgers makes it a crowd-pleaser everyone enjoys assembling themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pizza burgers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure to cool them completely before storing to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, freeze the assembled and baked burgers in a freezer-safe container or wrap them tightly in foil and plastic wrap. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months without sacrificing taste.
Reheating
Reheat leftover pizza burgers in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through to keep that cheesy goodness bubbly. Microwaving works too, but the oven keeps the bun from getting soggy and restores a bit of crispness.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar adds a nice tang, mozzarella or a cheese blend commonly used on pizzas also work great to achieve that classic cheesy gooeyness.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or seasoned mushrooms to keep that meaty texture and load it with your favorite pizza sauce and cheese alternatives.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time and bake later?
You can prepare and assemble the burgers, then cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time if refrigerating overnight.
What can I use if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
A mix of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and a pinch of garlic powder works well as a substitute to give you a similar authentic flavor.
Are these burgers kid-friendly?
Definitely! The familiar flavors of pizza and burgers combined make this a fun meal for kids. You can customize the toppings to suit their tastes and keep it mild or spicy as you prefer.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend this Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe enough. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser that’s easy to put together, incredibly tasty, and wonderfully nostalgic. Whether for a casual family dinner or a fun get-together, these pizza burgers bring smiles to the table every time. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite comfort food combo!
Print
Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Old School Pizza Burgers combine the juicy, savory flavors of classic ground beef burgers with the tangy zest of pizza sauce and melted sharp cheddar cheese, all nestled in a soft burger bun. This straightforward recipe comes together quickly and is perfect for a family dinner or casual get-together, delivering the nostalgic taste of pizza in a fun burger form.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 6 burger buns, halved
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled pizza burgers.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep it from being greasy.
- Season and Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning to the cooked beef, then mix in the pizza sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until it thickens slightly, enhancing the flavor and consistency.
- Prepare Buns: Arrange burger bun halves on a baking sheet with the cut side facing up, ready for topping.
- Assemble: Evenly spread the beef and sauce mixture over each bun half. Generously top each with shredded sharp cheddar cheese for that gooey, melty pizza burger effect.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, indicating the burger is heated through and ready.
- Serve: Add the top bun to each pizza burger and let them cool slightly before serving to enjoy the perfect handheld pizza-burger fusion.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
- Feel free to add sliced pepperoni or mushrooms before baking for extra pizza toppings.
- To make them spicier, mix in some crushed red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.
- Cheese alternatives like mozzarella or a blend of Italian cheeses would also work well.
- Serve with a side salad or crispy fries for a complete meal.
