Cheesy Italian Pizza Burgers

Juicy beef burgers topped with marinara, melted mozzarella and pizza toppings. The perfect mix of pizza and burger flavors!

Season beef with Italian spices, form patties, cook, top with marinara and cheese, add toppings and melt. Ready in 25 minutes.

An irresistible fusion of two comfort food favorites, these Old School Pizza Burgers bring back memories of school cafeteria lunches – but so much better. The combination of juicy beef patties topped with melty mozzarella and zesty marinara creates a nostalgic flavor that satisfies both burger and pizza cravings in one delicious bite.

I started making these after my son asked why we couldn’t have pizza and burgers at the same time. The look on his face when I served these for the first time was priceless!

Essential Ingredients Selection

Ground beef: 80/20 blend for best flavor
Mozzarella: Fresh shredded melts better than pre-shredded
Marinara: Thick sauce prevents soggy buns
Italian seasoning: Use fresh-dried herbs when possible
Buns: Choose sturdy ones that hold up to toppings

Detailed Cooking Steps

Perfect the patties:: Make slight depression in center. Season meat just before cooking. Handle meat gently when forming.
Master the cooking:: Start with hot pan or grill. Flip only once if possible. Don’t press patties while cooking.
Build the pizza layer:: Warm marinara before adding. Add cheese while patties are hot. Layer toppings strategically.
Finish with style:: Toast buns until golden. Add toppings in stages. Let cheese melt completely.

The Secret to Success

Through experimentation, I’ve found that adding the marinara sauce near the end of cooking keeps the burgers from getting soggy while still allowing the cheese to melt perfectly.

Make it Your Own

Set up a topping bar and let everyone customize their pizza burgers.

My family has a monthly “Pizza Burger Bar” night where everyone gets to create their own combination. It’s become such a fun tradition that even the neighbors ask when the next one will be!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Form patties ahead and chill
Use cast iron for best crust
Keep toppings bite-sized

This recipe has become our go-to for casual entertaining. There’s something about the familiar comfort of both pizza and burgers that brings people together and gets everyone excited about dinner time.