“These irresistible Pizza Burgers combine two beloved comfort foods into one mouthwatering dish. Individual-sized pizza dough rounds are topped with savory tomato sauce, seasoned ground beef, and a blanket of melted cheese, then garnished with fresh basil. Perfect for family dinners, game day gatherings, or casual entertaining, these pizza burgers deliver the best of both worlds in every bite – the satisfying heartiness of a burger with all the familiar flavors of pizza. This crowd-pleasing hybrid is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect fusion food: Combines two favorite comfort foods into one delicious meal
Customizable: Each person can personalize their toppings for a made-to-order experience
Kid-friendly: A fun twist that even picky eaters will enjoy
Great for gatherings: Easy to make in large batches for parties or game days
Make-ahead friendly: Components can be prepared in advance
Versatile: Works as an appetizer, lunch, or dinner option
Restaurant-quality: Impressive results with simple ingredients

Ingredients

For the Pizza Dough Bases

Pizza dough – Forms the foundation of your pizza burgers; can be homemade or store-bought
Olive oil – Helps achieve a golden, crispy bottom crust
Cornmeal (optional) – Prevents sticking and adds a pleasant texture to the bottom
Flour – For dusting when handling the dough

For the Tomato Sauce

Canned crushed tomatoes – Provides the perfect base for a quick, flavorful sauce
Tomato paste – Adds concentrated flavor and thickness
Garlic – Delivers essential aromatic flavor
Dried oregano – Classic pizza herb that complements the tomato flavor
Dried basil – Adds sweet, herbal notes to the sauce
Red pepper flakes – Provides optional heat to the sauce
Salt and pepper – Enhances and balances all flavors
Sugar (optional) – Helps balance acidity in the tomatoes

For the Meat Topping

Ground beef – The burger component, provides rich, meaty flavor
Onion – Adds sweetness and depth of flavor
Garlic – Enhances the savory taste of the meat
Italian seasoning – Delivers classic pizza flavor profile
Salt and pepper – Brings out the natural flavors
Worcestershire sauce – Adds umami depth to the meat

For the Cheese Topping

Mozzarella cheese – Provides that classic stretchy pizza cheese pull
Parmesan cheese – Adds sharp, salty flavor dimension
Provolone cheese (optional) – Creates additional depth of flavor

For Garnish

Fresh basil leaves – Adds bright color and fresh flavor
Red pepper flakes – Optional heat for spice lovers
Dried oregano – For additional Italian flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Components

Begin by gathering all ingredients and bringing refrigerated items to room temperature. This enables more even cooking and better incorporation of flavors.

Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside. A hot oven is crucial for achieving a crispy crust that can support the hearty toppings.

Making the Quick Pizza Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Add 1 can (14 oz) of crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon sugar (optional).

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still be spreadable. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preparing the Meat Topping

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add ½ cup finely diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Season with 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.

Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary. The meat should be fully cooked but not dry, as it will continue to cook in the oven.

Remove from heat and set aside. For a smoother texture, you can pulse the cooked meat mixture briefly in a food processor, but this step is optional.

Shaping the Pizza Dough

If using store-bought dough, allow it to come to room temperature for easier handling, about 30 minutes on the counter.

Divide 1 pound of pizza dough into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz each) for larger pizza burgers, or 8 portions (about 2 oz each) for appetizer-sized versions.

On a lightly floured surface, gently flatten and stretch each portion of dough into a round disk about ¼-inch thick and 4-5 inches in diameter for larger pizza burgers (or 3-4 inches for smaller ones). Create a slight rim around the edge to contain the toppings.

For the best results, avoid overworking the dough, which can make it tough. Allow the shaped dough to rest for 5-10 minutes before adding toppings, which helps prevent shrinking during baking.

Assembling and Baking

Lightly dust a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet with cornmeal or flour. This prevents sticking and helps slide the pizza burgers onto the hot baking surface.

Place the shaped dough rounds onto the prepared surface. Lightly brush the edges with olive oil for a golden, flavorful crust.

Spread about 2 tablespoons of the prepared tomato sauce on each dough round, leaving a small border around the edge. Avoid adding too much sauce, which can make the pizza burgers soggy.

Distribute the cooked beef mixture evenly over the sauce, using about 3-4 tablespoons for each pizza burger.

Top each pizza burger with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella (about 3-4 tablespoons per burger), followed by a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 tablespoon per burger). Add a few small pieces of provolone if using.

Carefully transfer the assembled pizza burgers onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven. If you don’t have a pizza peel, you can assemble the pizza burgers directly on a piece of parchment paper and transfer the parchment to the hot baking surface.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly with some light browning spots. The exact time will depend on your oven and the thickness of your dough.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 1-2 minutes before garnishing with fresh basil leaves, a sprinkle of dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these pizza burgers hot from the oven when the cheese is at its meltiest for the best experience.

These versatile pizza burgers pair wonderfully with:

A simple green salad with Italian dressing
Garlic knots or breadsticks
Roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers
A side of marinara sauce for dipping the crust
Sweet potato fries for a complementary flavor contrast

For a fun family dinner, set up a topping bar with additional ingredients like pepperoni, sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives, allowing everyone to customize their own pizza burger before baking.

Pro Tips

For the crispiest bottom crust, preheat your oven with the pizza stone or baking sheet inside for at least 30 minutes
If you want an even more burger-like experience, mix some of the cheese directly into the meat mixture before cooking
Grate your own cheese rather than using pre-shredded for better melting properties
For a spicier version, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the meat mixture
Pat the ground beef dry with paper towels before cooking for better browning
For a make-ahead option, prepare the sauce and meat mixture up to 2 days in advance
If the dough is sticking, use more flour on your work surface or chill it briefly to make it easier to handle
For maximum flavor, let the sauce simmer longer (up to 30-45 minutes) to develop deeper flavors

Variations and Creative Ideas

Flavor Variations

BBQ Bacon Pizza Burgers: Substitute BBQ sauce for the tomato sauce, add crispy bacon crumbles to the meat mixture, and top with cheddar and mozzarella cheese blend.

Mediterranean Pizza Burgers: Season the meat with Greek seasoning, use feta cheese instead of some of the mozzarella, and top with diced tomatoes, olives, and fresh oregano after baking.

Breakfast Pizza Burgers: Top the dough with a thin layer of sauce, cooked breakfast sausage, and cheese, then add a cracked egg in the center before baking. Finish with fresh herbs.

Mexican Pizza Burgers: Season the beef with taco seasoning, use salsa instead of pizza sauce, and top with a Mexican cheese blend. After baking, add diced avocado, cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream.

Dietary Adaptations

Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute, sautéed mushrooms, or a mixture of black beans and walnuts processed together for texture.

Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough or pre-made gluten-free pizza crusts as the base.

Low-Carb Version: Replace the pizza dough with portobello mushroom caps or large slices of eggplant as the base. Reduce baking time accordingly.

Dairy-Free Alternative: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives made from cashews, soy, or other plant-based ingredients.

Presentation Variations

Mini Pizza Burger Sliders: Make smaller versions (2-3 inches in diameter) for appetizers or kids’ meals.

Stuffed Pizza Burgers: Divide each portion of dough in half, flatten both pieces, add toppings to one piece, then cover with the second piece and seal the edges for a stuffed pizza pocket.

Pizza Burger Calzones: Fold the dough over the toppings to create half-moon shaped calzones, seal the edges, and cut a small vent on top.

Deep Dish Style: Press the dough into individual small cake pans or ramekins, add toppings, and bake for a deep-dish pizza burger experience.

Storage and Make-Ahead Advice

Refrigerator Storage: Store completely cooled pizza burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavor often improves after a day as the ingredients meld together.

Freezer Storage:

Baked pizza burgers can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool completely, wrap individually in plastic wrap and foil, then place in a freezer bag.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Make-Ahead Components:

Pizza dough can be made or purchased up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Tomato sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead and refrigerated, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Meat topping can be cooked 2 days ahead and refrigerated.
Cheese can be shredded several days in advance and kept refrigerated.

Reheating Tips: For the best texture when reheating, use an oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes rather than a microwave, which can make the crust soggy.

Not Recommended: Freezing uncooked assembled pizza burgers, as this can make the dough soggy when thawed.

Kid-Friendly Involvement

Pizza burgers offer multiple opportunities to get children involved in the kitchen:

Dough Shaping: Children can help portion and shape their own mini pizza burger dough rounds, practicing fine motor skills.

Sauce Spreading: Kids can spread sauce on their dough using the back of a spoon, learning about even distribution.

Creating Faces: Encourage children to create funny faces on their pizza burgers using the meat mixture, cheese, and any additional toppings.

Measuring Ingredients: Older children can help measure ingredients for the sauce and meat mixture, practicing math skills and kitchen safety.

Customization Station: Set up a toppings bar and let kids build their own personalized pizza burgers, fostering creativity and independence.

Learning Opportunity: Use this cooking project to teach about food fusion, combining elements from different culinary traditions into something new and exciting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-made pizza crusts instead of dough? Yes, pre-made pizza crusts work well for a quick version. Reduce the baking time by about 2-3 minutes since the crust is already partially baked.

Why is my crust not getting crispy on the bottom? This is typically caused by an oven that’s not hot enough or not preheating the baking surface. Make sure to preheat your oven and baking sheet/pizza stone for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Can I prepare these in advance for a party? Yes! Prepare all components ahead of time and assemble just before baking, or partially bake the dough for 3-4 minutes, add toppings, refrigerate, and finish baking when guests arrive.

What’s the best cheese to use for a good “cheese pull”? Whole milk mozzarella that you grate yourself (rather than pre-shredded) will give you the best melty cheese pull effect.

Can I grill these instead of baking? Yes, cook the dough on one side on a grill, flip, add toppings to the grilled side, and close the grill lid until the cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes.