Description
Hearty pizza burgers merge classic Italian and American flavors into one delicious handheld meal. Cheese-stuffed ground beef patties topped with marinara sauce create a mouthwatering fusion that satisfies hungry diners seeking comfort and excitement.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef (80/20 for juicier burgers)
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese (or provolone)
- ½ cup (120 ml) marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
- 4 burger buns, toasted
- ¼ cup (60 g) pepperoni slices, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup (40 g) black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil (for grilling or frying)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Blend ground beef with Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Craft four even patties with a central depression to promote uniform cooking and prevent swelling.
- Cooking Process: Heat a skillet or grill to medium-high with a light olive oil coating. Sear patties for 4-5 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown crust and desired internal temperature.
- Pizza Transformation: Ladle marinara sauce over each patty, crown with a mozzarella slice, and cover to create a melted, pizza-inspired cheese blanket.
- Burger Assembly: Position patties on toasted buns, embellish with pepperoni, black olives, and a garnish of fresh basil or parsley for vibrant flavor and visual appeal.
- Serving: Plate immediately with a side of marinara sauce for additional dipping, ensuring a hot and appetizing presentation.
Notes
- Meat Indentation Technique: Create a slight depression in the center of each patty to prevent uneven cooking and bulging, ensuring a perfectly shaped burger every time.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Cover the skillet after adding marinara and cheese to trap heat, promoting even and quick melting of the mozzarella for that signature gooey pizza-style topping.
- Herb Freshness Boost: Chop fresh basil or parsley just before serving to maximize flavor intensity and aromatic profile, giving the burger a vibrant finishing touch.
- Customize Toppings Wisely: Experiment with alternative pizza-inspired toppings like sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or swap pepperoni for vegetarian options to suit different dietary preferences and taste buds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg