Step-by-Step to Craft Your Pizza Burger
Start with the burger. Form ground beef into patties, about 1.5 cm thick, seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
Heat a skillet over medium-high (around 190°C/375°F). Add a splash of oil and cook the patties 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
While the burgers rest, toast burger buns cut side down in the same pan until lightly charred. Set aside.
In the same skillet, melt some cheese over the burger patties just before removing them—think gooey, melty mozzarella or a sharp cheddar.
Warm up your pizza sauce in a small pot, just until bubbling, then spread generously over the toasted buns.
Assemble the burger: place the patty on the bun, spoon over the hot pizza sauce, add toppings like sliced pepperoni or peppers, then top with the other bun.
Cooking Checkpoints & Tips to Get It Just Right
Burger patties should be cooked to an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F) for safety.
Buns should be toasted until golden brown and slightly crispy—don’t skip this step.
Cheese should be gooey and just melted—cover the skillet briefly if needed to help it melt.
Pizza sauce needs to be hot and bubbling—spread while still warm for the best flavor release.
This pizza burger idea started as an experiment on a rainy afternoon—something to shake up the usual. It’s a bit chaotic, yes, but that’s where the magic lives. The combination of crispy burger, melty cheese, and tangy pizza sauce feels like a rebellious twist on both classics. It’s honest, a little messy, and honestly addictive.
Tools & Equipment for the Perfect Pizza Burger
Tool: Cast-iron skillet
Purpose: For even heating and that perfect char on the burger and buns.
Tool: Spatula
Purpose: To flip and handle the burger patties.
Tool: Small saucepan
Purpose: To gently heat the pizza sauce.
Tool: Toaster or oven
Purpose: To toast the buns evenly.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
Fix: Use a thermometer to check burger doneness—no guesswork needed.
Mistake: Overcooked burgers turn dry and tough.
Fix: Don’t forget to toast the buns—soft buns won’t hold up.
Mistake: Skipping toasting leaves buns soggy.
Fix: Add cheese in the last minute of cooking—wait for that perfect melt.
Mistake: Cheese melting too early or not at all.
Fix: Spread sauce while hot—this helps it soak into the bun.
Mistake: Cold sauce leaves the burger dry.
Inside the Ingredients of a Pizza Burger
Ingredient: Ground beef
Description: The foundation—juicy, savory, needs good seasoning but not overwhelming.
Ingredient: Burger buns
Description: Soft but sturdy—look for brioche for a richer flavor or go whole wheat for a healthier touch.
Ingredient: Pizza sauce
Description: Tangy, flavorful—use your favorite jar or make a quick homemade version.
Ingredient: Cheese
Description: Mozzarella melts beautifully, but a sharp cheddar adds punch; go wild if you like.
Ingredient: Toppings
Description: Pepperoni, peppers, onions—whatever adds that extra pop of flavor and texture.
Ingredient: Oil or butter
Description: For toasting buns—just enough to get that golden crispy edge.
Ingredient: Seasonings
Description: Salt, pepper, maybe some garlic powder—less is more, keep it simple.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
It’s unpredictable and fun. Every bite offers a burst of cheesy, saucy goodness with a satisfying crunch. It’s perfect for lazy weekends or last-minute cravings. Plus, it’s a reminder that mixing up familiar flavors can turn a simple meal into a small adventure.
Pizza Burger
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix the ground beef with salt and pepper, then form into four evenly-sized patties about 1.5 cm thick.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot and slightly shimmering, then add a splash of oil.
- Place the beef patties into the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through to an internal temperature of 71°C (160°F).
- While the patties cook, slice the burger buns in half and toast them cut side down in the same skillet until lightly charred and crispy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Once the burger patties are cooked, place a slice of cheese on each and cover the skillet briefly to melt the cheese until gooey and bubbling.
- Warm the pizza sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until bubbling, which takes about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Spread a generous spoonful of warm pizza sauce over the toasted bottom buns.
- Assemble the burger by placing a cheesy patty on each sauced bun, then add toppings like pepperoni or peppers if desired.
- Top with the other half of the toasted bun, gently pressing down to hold everything together.
- Serve immediately while the cheese is melted and the sauce is still hot, enjoying the crispy, saucy, cheesy combination.
Notes
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, the founder of Absolute Chaos Mode. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I grew up in a household where dinner was equal parts delicious and unpredictable
