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Two all-time favorites collide in these mouthwatering pizza burgers. This dish takes your run-of-the-mill hamburgers and jazzes them up with iconic Italian pizza elements in every succulent mouthful. When gooey mozzarella meets tangy marinara and crunchy pepperoni, you get a taste sensation that's like having your neighborhood pizzeria right at your cookout.
We stumbled on this creation during a downpour when we couldn't pick between ordering pizza or firing up burgers. The second we tried them, these pizza burgers became a household hit, particularly with my kids who now want them whenever they celebrate another trip around the sun.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
- Ground beef (80/20): Forms the ideal base with just enough fat to keep your burgers moist and tasty throughout the cooking process
- Fresh mozzarella cheese: Delivers that genuine pizza feel thanks to how beautifully it melts and its smooth, delicate flavor
- Pizza sauce: Choose something chunky and substantial instead of runny to keep your buns from getting mushy
- Fresh basil leaves: Bring a pop of freshness and true Italian flair that works wonderfully with everything else
Crafting Your Delicious Pizza Burger
- Mix The Ultimate Patty:
- Put your spices and beef in a big mixing bowl. With clean fingers, softly blend the garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano through the meat. Mix just until everything's evenly spread out - don't go overboard or you'll end up with tough burgers. Split your seasoned beef into four equal chunks and form them into patties a bit wider than your buns since they'll shrink while cooking. Press your thumb lightly in the middle of each patty to make a small depression.
- Grilling To Perfection:
- Start by getting your grill hot to medium high, about 375°F. Make sure to scrub and oil the grates so nothing sticks. Set your patties on the hottest section of the grill, depression facing up. Let them cook without moving them for 5 minutes until you notice juices pooling on top. Flip just once and cook another 3 to 4 minutes for medium. Add your mozzarella during the last minute of cooking time.
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Coming from an Italian American family, I learned early on that quality stuff makes all the difference for authentic taste. The pizza sauce is extra special to me because I use my grandma's recipe that bubbles away for hours with garden-fresh herbs and garlic.
Ideal Side Dishes
Make your pizza burger meal even better by adding some crunchy garlic parmesan fries, a fresh Caesar salad, or some homemade marinara for dipping. To really bring that Italian feeling, try adding some marinated artichoke hearts or some zingy pepperoncini on the side.
Tasty Twists
Try making a Margherita version with creamy buffalo mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic. Want some heat? Mix crushed red pepper flakes into your meat and top with hot pepperoni and jalapeños. For veggie lovers, swap the beef for grilled portobello mushroom caps as your base.
Smart Storage
Got leftover patties? Pop them in a sealed container in your fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to eat them again, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, adding new cheese in the final minutes. Skip the microwave though - it'll make your meat tough and turn your bun into mush.
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Through countless cookouts and playing around with tons of burger ideas over the years, I can honestly say these pizza burgers stand out as one of the most inventive and tasty spins I've ever tried. They really capture what makes both dishes so good while creating something totally unique that you'll definitely crave again.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I get these patties ready ahead of time?
- Sure thing! Prep the patties and seasoning mix up to a day earlier, but save cooking and assembling for serving time to keep them fresh.
- → How do I stop the burgers from shrinking?
- Press a little dip in the middle of each patty before cooking, and try not to squish the meat too much while shaping.
- → Can I bake these burgers instead of grilling?
- Absolutely! Cook them in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, adding the cheese just a few minutes before they’re done.
- → Which pizza sauce works best?
- Go for a thick sauce that stays in place and doesn’t soak the bun. Homemade or store-bought both work great.
- → When are the burgers ready to eat?
- Check with a meat thermometer—160°F internally means they’re good to go.