Old School Pizza Burgers – A Nostalgic Bite of Cheesy, Meaty Goodness!
These retro pizza burgers will take you straight back to school lunchrooms or cozy weeknight dinners in the ‘80s! Loaded with seasoned ground beef, zesty pizza sauce, and gooey melted cheese, all baked on a toasted bun—these are the perfect fusion of your favorite cheeseburger and pizza slice.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup diced pepperoni (optional)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 hamburger buns (halved)
Butter for spreading (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with chopped onion until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in garlic powder, Italian seasoning, pizza sauce, and pepperoni if using. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes until thick and flavorful.
- Place bun halves on the baking sheet, cut side up. You can lightly butter them if you like a crispier base.
- Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture onto each bun.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Optional Toppings:
– Sliced olives, mushrooms, or green peppers
– A dash of crushed red pepper flakes
– Fresh basil or parsley before serving
Pro Tips:
– Want crispier buns? Toast them for 5 minutes before adding the meat.
– Make them mini on slider buns for parties or kids’ lunches!
– Swap beef with ground turkey or sausage for variation.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use English muffins instead of buns?
A: Absolutely! They toast up nicely and add extra crunch.
Q: Can these be made ahead?
A: Yes, assemble them without baking, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Q: Do they freeze well?
A: They sure do! Wrap each pizza burger in foil and freeze. Reheat in the oven for a quick meal.
These old-school pizza burgers are a guaranteed hit—easy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor!
