Last summer, our backyard was buzzing with activity. My kids had just returned from a week at grandma’s house, and they wanted something spectacular. I spotted a burger night post on Instagram, someone had layered pizza toppings onto patties, and the sparks flew. I grabbed my ground chuck, pepperoni in the fridge, and the brioche buns I’d picked up for Sunday brunch.

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In the middle of flipping patties, my youngest ran by pretending to be a pepperoni slice mid-flight, while my teenager dropped a pepperoni on the grill with dramatic flair. My husband, flipping vegetables alongside the burgers, laughed and said this was the most entertaining dinner prep he’d ever seen.

By the time we were assembling burgers—spreading garlic mayo, piling melted provolone and pepperoni, and layering sweet peppers and onions, we had a full-on show going. The sizzle on the cast iron, the fragrance of garlic, the pop of cheese melting over pepperoni—it felt like pizza and burger had a delicious love child.

We sat down family-style, hands sticky from garlic mayo and smiles wide, and nobody checked their screen. It felt like the best kind of kitchen moment: messy, playful, and genuinely satisfying.

Short Description

A fun mash-up of juicy beef patties topped with pizza sauce, melted provolone, pepperoni, sautéed peppers and onions, all served on soft brioche buns with garlic mayo.

Key Ingredients

1½ lbs ground chuck (80/20)
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 pack brioche buns (8 buns)
12 slices provolone cheese
12 slices deli pepperoni
Salt, pepper, garlic powder (to taste)
1 can store-bought pizza sauce (~1 cup)
2 tbsp garlic paste
½ cup mayo

Tools Needed

Grill (gas or charcoal)
Cast iron skillet
Mixing bowl
Spatula/tongs
Small bowl for garlic mayo

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Chill Patties
Form 6 large burger patties from ground chuck. Refrigerate for 35–40 minutes to help them hold together during grilling.

Step 2: Make Garlic Mayo
In a small bowl, mix mayo and garlic paste. Set aside to let flavors meld.

Step 3: Sauté Veggies
Chop bell pepper and red onion. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a cast iron skillet over high heat. Add veggies, season with salt, and cook 8–10 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized. Keep warm.

Step 4: Season & Grill Patties
Season patties with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Grill over direct medium-high heat for 6 minutes per side.

Step 5: Crisp Pepperoni
While flipping patties, heat another skillet. Sear pepperoni for 60–90 seconds per side until edges just begin to crisp. Set aside.

Step 6: Top Patties Pizza-Style
After flipping patties the first time, grill 2 more minutes. Spoon ~2 tbsp pizza sauce onto each patty, then place 2 provolone slices and 2 pepperoni slices on top. Close grill lid and cook 4 minutes, until cheese melts.

Step 7: Toast Buns & Assemble
Remove patties to a wire rack. Toast brioche buns cut-side down on the grill for 30 seconds. Spread garlic mayo on buns, then layer sautéed veggies and topped burgers. Serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: Juicy beef, tangy sauce, melty cheese, spicy pepperoni, and sweet peppers make every bite feel like a slice of pizza.

Quick & Easy: Ready in under 45 minutes and all made on the grill—minimal cleanup.

Versatile: Great for casual weeknight dinners, weekend cookouts, or game-day treats.

Crowd-Pleaser: Kids adore the pizza-burger mash-up; adults enjoy the bold flavors.

Customizable: Easily swap cheeses, meats, or toppings to suit dietary needs.

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Patties falling apart: If too soft, they won’t hold shape. Solution: Chill patties before grilling.

Soggy buns: Un-toasted buns get soggy from sauce. Solution: Toast buns cut-side down until lightly crisp.

Undercooked veggies: Crunchy, raw vegetables don’t mix well. Solution: Sauté until tender and slightly brown.

Cheese not melting: Cheese won’t fully melt without time. Solution: Add cheese and close the grill lid for 4 minutes.

Pepperoni not crispy: Soft pepperoni lacks texture. Solution: Quick sear in skillet before topping.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve with crispy garlic fries or a fresh Caesar salad.

Pair with an ice-cold beer, fruity red wine, or lemonade.

Arrange on a platter for buffet-style dinners or platter-style family meals.

Garnish with fresh basil or arugula for brightness and color.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store patties and veggies separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, adding cheese on top to re-melt.

Buns store best separately—toast again before serving.

Assemble fully just before serving to avoid soggy buns.

FAQs

1. Can I use turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes! Mix with 10% fat to keep patties juicy. Grill time stays the same.

2. Vegetarian option available?
Use plant-based patties and veggie pepperoni; stack as usual.

3. Can I skip garlic mayo?
Sure, spread pizza sauce on buns for a saucier bite.

4. Can I cook indoors?
Yes, use a grill pan to sear patties and toast buns on the stovetop.

5. Do I need brioche buns?
They’re ideal, but soft potato or ciabatta buns work well too.

Tips & Tricks

Toast buns last minute to keep them crisp.

Use two skewers per patty to prevent patties from sliding when flipping. (Optional)

Let beef rest 5 minutes after grilling for juicier patties.

Add pickled jalapeños for heat, or fresh basil for a pop.

Prep garlic mayo ahead to let flavor deepen.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Italian Pizza Burger
Add ¼ tsp red pepper flakes to beef mix. Use pepper jack cheese and top with spicy giardiniera.

Mushroom & Swiss Twist
Sauté mushrooms with onions and garlic. Replace pepperoni with Swiss cheese and omit pizza sauce.

Breakfast Pizza Burger
Top patties with a fried egg and crispy breakfast sausage. Swap brioche buns for English muffins.

Gluten-Free Version
Use gluten-free buns. Ensure pizza sauce and pepperoni are certified GF.

Final Thoughts

This pizza burger combines kid-friendly charm with bold, grown-up flavors—melty cheese, hearty beef, tangy sauce. Watching my family devour these on a Friday evening makes all the prep worthwhile. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter when friends come over.

I hope it brings you the same joy, laughter, and full bellies as it always does in my kitchen, because every once in a while, dinner can be both familiar and a delicious surprise.

Pizza Burger With Pepperoni And Cheese