If you’re craving a cozy, nostalgic dish that combines the best of two comfort food worlds, look no further than the Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe. This delightful recipe brings together juicy, seasoned ground beef smothered in tangy pizza sauce and melted sharp cheddar cheese, all nestled on soft burger buns. It’s like having your favorite pizza and burger rolled into one, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser for family dinners or casual gatherings. Simple, satisfying, and packed with classic flavors, this recipe is a true winner every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind the Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe lies in its straightforward yet vibrant ingredients. Each element plays a crucial role: the ground beef offers hearty richness, the pizza sauce introduces that unmistakable zesty tang, and the cheddar cheese adds a gooey, sharp finish. Plus, the burger buns bring everything together with their soft, pillowy texture.
- 1 pound ground beef: Choose freshly ground beef with a good fat content for juicy, flavorful patties.
- 1 cup pizza sauce: A zesty tomato-based sauce that provides the unmistakable pizza flavor.
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs that enhances the sauce and beef mixture with classic Italian aromas.
- 6 burger buns, halved: Soft buns that hold all the toppings perfectly and soak up the delicious juices.
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and adds a rich, tangy bite to the burgers.
How to Make Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for melting the cheese gently without drying out the burger buns, so they come out warm and soft with that delicious bubbly topping.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Next, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure to break it up with a spatula so it cooks evenly. Once it’s fully cooked, be sure to drain any excess fat to keep the burgers tasty but not greasy.
Step 3: Season and Simmer
After your beef is cooked, stir in the Italian seasoning to give it that classic herb-packed flavor. Then mix in the pizza sauce and let it simmer gently until it thickens slightly. This step melds the flavors beautifully and ensures the sauce clings to every bite.
Step 4: Prepare the Buns
While the flavorful beef mixture simmers, arrange your burger bun halves on a baking sheet with the cut side facing up. This will help them toast lightly under the cheese and keep their structure when loaded up.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Now for the fun part: spread a generous layer of the beef and pizza sauce mixture onto each bun half. Top everything with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, making sure to cover all the saucy goodness. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes or until the cheese is perfectly melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, add the top bun to each and allow the pizzas burgers to cool just slightly. This rest time helps everything settle for that ideal first bite experience. Then dive in and savor the amazing combo of flavors!
How to Serve Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe with simple garnishes like fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. These additions not only enhance the look but add fresh, vibrant notes that perfectly complement the rich, cheesy beef.
Side Dishes
Pair these pizza burgers with a crisp Caesar salad or crunchy garlic breadsticks to bring extra texture and freshness to your meal. Classic fries or tater tots also make fantastic companions, balancing the cheesy warmth with satisfying crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the pizza burgers open-faced with a side of dipping sauce—like ranch or a spicy marinara. You could also turn them into sliders for parties, making them bite-sized and super easy for guests to enjoy while mingling.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe, pop them into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping the buns separate from the beef mixture will help prevent sogginess if possible.
Freezing
These pizza burgers freeze beautifully. Wrap each assembled burger tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to preserve freshness. Freeze for up to 2 months, making meal prep a breeze later on.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated pizza burgers in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. Avoid microwaving to keep the buns from getting chewy or soggy.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cheese in the Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe?
Absolutely! While sharp cheddar is classic, mozzarella or provolone can give a more authentic pizza feel, and mixing cheeses can add depth to the flavor.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the ground beef for a plant-based ground meat or cooked lentils seasoned with Italian herbs and tomato sauce for a delicious vegetarian-friendly version.
Can I add vegetables to the pizza burgers?
Definitely. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions stirred into the beef mixture can add fantastic flavor and nutrition without overpowering the dish.
What if I don’t have Italian seasoning?
No worries. You can create your own blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and garlic powder for a similar flavor boost.
How do I prevent the buns from getting soggy?
To keep buns from soaking up too much sauce, toast them lightly before assembling and serve soon after baking to enjoy the best texture.
Final Thoughts
There is something so heartwarming and satisfying about the Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe — it’s a perfect recipe to make any day feel special without needing a fancy occasion or complicated ingredients. Whether you’re feeding a family or just craving a cozy comfort meal, this dish delivers that nostalgic pizza-and-burger combo we all love. Give it a go, and get ready to make it a staple in your kitchen rotation!
Print
Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Old School Pizza Burgers combine the classic flavors of a cheeseburger with the savory taste of pizza sauce and Italian seasoning, all baked to melty perfection on soft burger buns. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick dinner or casual gathering, delivering a comforting and flavorful meal in just 22 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
For Assembly
- 6 burger buns, halved
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the assembled pizza burgers.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the mixture from being greasy.
- Season and Sauce: Stir in the Italian seasoning into the cooked beef. Then add the pizza sauce and mix well. Allow this mixture to simmer gently until it thickens slightly, enhancing the flavors.
- Prepare Buns: Arrange the burger bun halves on a baking sheet with the cut sides facing up to receive the toppings.
- Assemble: Spread the beef and pizza sauce mixture evenly over each bun half. Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese generously on top of the beef layer.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, add the top halves of the buns, and allow them to cool slightly before serving to enjoy the melty and savory pizza burgers.
Notes
- You can substitute sharp cheddar cheese with mozzarella for a more traditional pizza flavor.
- For extra zest, add sliced pepperoni or olives on top before baking.
- Serve with a side salad or veggies to balance the meal.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free buns.
- Leftover beef mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
