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These cheesy pizza burgers smash together a juicy burger and all the throwback pizza flavors you crave. There’s nothing like biting into a soft brioche bun stacked with beef, melted cheese, and pepperoni. Have one for a speedy weeknight dinner or toss a few on the grill at the next backyard bash if you want to hit both your pizza and burger craving in one shot.
Made these at a cookout last summer and not a single one was left. Pretty sure my friends are counting down to when I fire up these pizza burgers again.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Mayo: Gives the garlic mayo that perfect creamy texture glues everything together
- Garlic paste: No mincing needed and mixes right in makes meal prep easier
- Store bought pizza sauce: Goes big on tomato flavor and herbs aim for the one with real ingredients
- Big deli pepperoni: Order thick slices so you get that meaty bite in the middle
- Provolone cheese: Melts super smooth without overpowering your toppings
- Brioche buns: Soft and a bit sweet the butteriness is unbeatable
- Red onion: Adds vivid color and a punch of tang
- Green bell pepper: Crunchy and classic pizza taste
- Ground chuck: Extra juicy and rich thanks to its fat content
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder: These simple seasonings make the beef really shine
Easy Instructions
- Toast the Buns and Build:
- Lightly toast the brioche so it’s crisp outside. Spread on garlic mayo, pile up the sautéed veggies, stack on a loaded patty, and top with the other half.
- Assemble with Sauce and Cheese:
- Flip those patties and grill another couple minutes. Add a big spoon of pizza sauce, provolone, and crisped pepperoni. Close the grill and let everything melt together for four more minutes. Move finished burgers to a rack.
- Crisp the Pepperoni:
- Pop thick pepperoni into a hot skillet. Cook each side just over a minute till you see those edges curl. Lay them aside to drain off extra oil so your burger stays crisp not soggy.
- Season and Grill Patties:
- Generously season both sides of every patty with salt, pepper, garlic powder. Sear on a hot grill—about six minutes for each side gives the best crust.
- Cook the Vegetables:
- Dice up red onion and green pepper. Toss in a cast iron pan with butter and salt for up to ten minutes. Cook until they’re soft and have a little golden color. Keep them warm for later.
- Prepare Garlic Mayo:
- Mix a scoop of mayo with garlic paste in a bowl. Set aside—you’ll use this for some saucy layering later on.
- Make the Patties:
- Form the ground chuck into patties. Chill in the fridge thirty five minutes so they stay together on the grill and soak up all the seasoning.
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Every time that cheese melts over the pepperoni, I swear I can hear my little brother hollering for another one at his birthday. He always said these tasted like the burger from his favorite pizza joint. That provolone goes crazy creamy as it melts—just melts in your mouth.
Storing Leftovers
Stash any leftover patties and toppings in separate airtight containers in the fridge—that way nothing gets mushy. They’ll be good for three days. Rewarm gently on the stovetop or in the oven so the cheese gets gooey again but the meat doesn’t dry out.
Swap Options
If you’re out of provolone, no worries—grab mozzarella or cheddar. If beef isn’t your thing go with ground turkey or chicken but oil the grill pan first since these are leaner. Swap out green for red or orange bells if you want it sweeter.
Serving Ideas
Try these with crispy oven fries or a bright green salad. They’re awesome with a cold lemonade or root beer on the side. Add a spoon of extra pizza sauce or some fresh pesto for a fun twist.
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Fun Backstory
Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s when diners loved mixing up food trends, pizza burgers popped up everywhere. It’s a mashup of classic Italian-American pizza and all-American burgers. A diner favorite you can whip up on your own grill these days.
Recipe FAQs
- → What’s the best beef to use?
A chuck blend with 80/20 fat ratio offers the perfect amount of juiciness and flavor for grilling patties.
- → Can I try different cheese options?
Mozzarella, cheddar, or even Monterey Jack will work well and taste great with pizza-inspired flavors.
- → How do I get soft, tender veggies?
Sauté peppers and onions in butter with a sprinkle of salt over medium-high heat for about 8–10 minutes. They’ll soften but stay flavorful.
- → Is it okay to skip cooking the pepperoni?
If you cook it briefly, pepperoni gets crispy with a more intense taste. But leaving it soft works just fine!
- → Can I prepare ahead of time?
Shape and refrigerate the burger patties in advance, then cook and assemble when you’re ready to serve for the freshest results.