One night, the kids and I were debating between pizza or burgers, and I realized, why not mash them together? I was at the grocery store earlier that day when I noticed a new Italian sausage blend next to the ground beef. It sparked a lightbulb moment: a burger that tastes like pizza. After a quick chat with my husband, I decided to experiment that evening.
I mixed ground beef and Italian sausage with oregano, basil, marjoram, and garlic then shaped juicy patties just a bit larger than our buns. As they hit the hot skillet, the aroma filled the kitchen. I heated marinara with a sprinkle of pizza seasoning and crisped pepperoni on the side. The kids hovered, waiting for the first patty to hit the bun.
When that first cheese-melted burger came together, bun toasted on the pan, warm sauce dripping, sizzling pepperoni on top, it felt like a tiny win. The bite was comforting and exciting all at once: classic burger texture with bold pizza flavor. The laughter, messy mouths, and “Again, Mom!” made it clear this combo is sticking around.
Short Description
A juicy burger that blends pizza flavors—Italian sausage and beef patty, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and warm marinara—all assembled on a toasted bun. A fun crowd-pleaser for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Key Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, 80/20
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 4 hamburger buns
- Marinara sauce, warmed
- 4 mozzarella cheese slices
- Pepperoni slices, about 8 per burger
- Parmesan cheese, optional
- Butter, for buns
- Pizza seasoning (oregano, basil, marjoram, garlic)
Tools Needed
- Grill, skillet, or griddle
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Small saucepan
- Spatula
- Pastry brush
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Mix and Shape Patties
Combine ground beef, Italian sausage, and 1 tsp pizza seasoning. Divide into four patties slightly wider than buns, about ¾ inch thick. Press a thumbprint in each center to prevent puffing.
Step 2: Preheat Cooking Surface
Heat grill, skillet, or griddle to high (around 400 °F). Brush bun interiors with butter.
Step 3: Cook First Side
Place patties on heat. Cook undisturbed for 4 minutes to develop a good sear.
Step 4: Prepare Sauce & Pepperoni
While patties cook, warm marinara in a pan over medium-low heat. In a separate skillet or on grill foil, heat pepperoni for 1–2 minutes until crispy at the edges.
Step 5: Flip and Finish
Flip each patty and cook another 2–4 minutes until internal temp reaches 140 °F for medium. About 1 minute before they’re done, lay a mozzarella slice on each patty and cover heat so it melts.
Step 6: Toast Buns
Place buns cut-side down for 1–2 minutes until golden and warm.
Step 7: Assemble
Place patties on toasted buns, spoon on marinara sauce, top with crispy pepperoni, and sprinkle Parmesan if using. Serve at once.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Fusion: Combines meaty burger and rich pizza taste in one bite.
Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes using everyday pantry items.
Customizable: Add veggies, switch cheese, or spice it up.
Kid-Approved: Fun, familiar, and messy—in the best way.
Perfect for Gatherings: Great for casual dinners, weekend grilling, or family cookouts.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Dry Patties
Problem: Overcooked burgers turn dry.
Solution: Use 80/20 meats and remove at 140 °F. Rest under foil for 3 minutes.
Soggy Buns
Problem: Sauce makess buns soggy.
Solution: Toast buns with butter before assembling.
Flat Patties
Problem: Patties puff up and lose shape.
Solution: Use a thumbprint in the center to keep them flat.
Cheese Not Melting
Problem: Cheese stays hard.
Solution: Cover pan or close grill with cheese on top 30–60 seconds before finish.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve with garlic fries or a crisp Caesar salad.
Offer extra marinara for dipping or drizzling.
Great for buffet-style dinners—keep patties warm in a pan.
Pair with iced tea, soda, or a light lager.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Store assembled burgers separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
Reheat in Oven: 350 °F for 8–10 minutes until warmed and cheese remelts.
Skillet Reheat: Medium heat with a splash of water, covered, for even warming.
Avoid Microwaving: It can make buns soggy and cheese rubbery.
FAQs
1. Can I skip the sausage?
Yes, use all ground beef. You’ll lose some flavor but reduce fat—add a tsp of butter if it’s too lean.
2. What cheese alternatives work?
Provolone or fontina melt well. Pepper jack adds spice.
3. Can I make patties ahead?
Yes, shape and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Bring to room temp before cooking.
4. How spicy is it?
With standard pepperoni and Italian sausage, it’s mild. Use spicy sausage or hot pepperoni for more heat.
5. Can I bake patties instead of grilling?
Yes, bake at 400 °F for ~15 minutes, flipping halfway, and melt cheese under broiler for 1 minute.
Tips & Tricks
Chill patties on foil-lined tray before cooking for better grill marks.
Let sauce simmer for 5 minutes to thicken before serving.
Use buttered wax paper to prep buns without sticking.
For extra flavor, brush cooked patties with garlic-butter before adding sauce.
Rest patties for 3 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Recipe Variations
Veggie Pizza Burger
Use ground turkey or plant-based meat. Swap pepperoni for roasted red pepper strips and add a slice of zucchini before topping with marinara and cheese.
BBQ Pizza Burger
Replace marinara with BBQ sauce, top with bacon and cheddar instead of mozzarella, and sprinkle crushed red pepper.
Greek Pizza Burger
Mix patties with garlic and oregano. Use tomato sauce, feta cheese, and kalamata olive slices for topping. Serve on toasted pita.
Margherita Style
Top cooked patties with fresh basil leaves, tomato slices, melted fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
Spicy Diablo Burger
Use spicy Italian sausage, pepper jack cheese, marinara mixed with hot sauce, and jalapeño slices on top.
Final Thoughts
By the time the last bite was taken, marinara on our fingers and melted cheese stretching across the table, I knew this one was going into our regular dinner rotation. My daughter actually clapped. My husband made a dramatic chef’s kiss gesture. And my son asked if we could have it “again tomorrow, but with extra pepperoni.” That’s the kind of meal this is, it turns a simple evening into something a little more fun, a little more flavorful.
It’s hard not to love when something this easy makes everyone smile. The patties cook fast, the kitchen smells amazing, and the whole thing feels like a win for busy parents who still want to feed their families something exciting. Now when we want pizza and burgers, I don’t have to choose. This is the messy, cheesy, joy-filled answer we didn’t know we needed.
Juicy Pizza Burger With Mozzarella And Pepperoni
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 4 hamburger buns
- Marinara sauce warmed
- 4 mozzarella cheese slices
- Pepperoni slices about 8 per burger
- Parmesan cheese optional
- Butter for buns
- Pizza seasoning oregano, basil, marjoram, garlic
Instructions
- Combine beef, sausage, and pizza seasoning. Shape into 4 patties, slightly larger than buns. Press a thumbprint in the center.
- Preheat grill or skillet to high heat (about 400 °F). Butter the buns.
- Cook patties for 4 minutes without moving to build a crust.
- Heat marinara on low. Crisp pepperoni in a skillet or on grill foil for 1–2 minutes.
- Flip patties and cook 2–4 minutes more (140 °F for medium). Add mozzarella in the last minute and cover to melt.
- Toast buns cut-side down for 1–2 minutes until golden.
- Top buns with patties, marinara, pepperoni, and Parmesan if using. Serve hot.
