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These Old School Pizza Burgers bring a delightful mix of savory, cheesy pizza flavor and hearty burger goodness in one easy dish. Made with a flavorful ground beef sauce mixed with pizza sauce and Italian seasoning, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, and baked on burger buns, these pizza burgers are an easy, comforting meal perfect for the whole family. This recipe is quick to make, taking less than 30 minutes, and can be customized with extra pizza toppings!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup pizza sauce
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
6 burger buns, halved
1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional: Sliced pepperoni for topping

Directions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Brown the Beef and Onion:
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat. Stir to break the meat into small pieces. Cook until browned and the onion is soft, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Simmer the Pizza Sauce:
Add the Italian seasoning to the skillet with the beef and onion. Stir in the pizza sauce and simmer over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Assemble the Pizza Burgers:
Place the halved burger buns on the baking sheet. Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly onto each bun half. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and add pepperoni slices if desired.
Bake:
Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve open-faced or with the top buns added for a full burger.

Nutrients

Calories: 400-550 per pizza burger (depends on the type of bun and cheese used)
Carbohydrates: 30-40g
Protein: 20-30g
Fat: 20-30g
Saturated Fat: 8-15g
Cholesterol: 50-80mg
Sodium: 700-1000mg
Fiber: 2-4g
Sugar: 5-10g

Why You’ll Love Old School Pizza Burgers

Pizza and burgers are two universally loved comfort foods, so why not combine them into one delicious meal? These Old School Pizza Burgers are cheesy, savory, and packed with flavors that everyone loves. The ground beef, seasoned with Italian spices and pizza sauce, brings out the richness and savory notes you expect from pizza, while the melted cheddar cheese and optional pepperoni slices bring the classic pizza experience right to your plate.

Since the burgers are baked in the oven, you get the added benefit of a crispy, toasted bun without the mess of grilling. The pizza sauce adds moisture and flavor to the beef, creating a juicy, satisfying filling for the buns. You can also customize the toppings with any pizza ingredients you love, like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives, making this dish as versatile as it is delicious.

The Ingredients That Make Old School Pizza Burgers Special

Ground Beef: The hearty base for these pizza burgers. Ground beef adds a rich, savory flavor and provides the bulk of the protein.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the beef mixture, complementing the richness of the pizza sauce.
Pizza Sauce: The essential ingredient for that pizza flavor. Pizza sauce infuses the beef with a tangy, savory taste.
Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme that gives the beef and sauce a true pizza flavor.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese provides a perfect balance of tangy and creamy flavors that melt beautifully over the beef mixture.
Burger Buns: The base of the pizza burger, providing a sturdy vessel for the beef and cheese. Use any type of bun, from classic to whole wheat or even gluten-free.
Optional Pepperoni: Adds a traditional pizza topping that complements the flavors of the beef and sauce for an extra dose of pizza deliciousness.

How to Make Old School Pizza Burgers

Making these pizza burgers is easy and quick, perfect for when you need a meal in under 30 minutes. Here’s how to prepare them:

1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

2. Brown the Beef and Onion

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to break the beef into small pieces.
Cook for about 8-10 minutes until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.
Drain any excess fat from the beef mixture.

3. Simmer the Pizza Sauce

Add the Italian seasoning to the skillet with the beef and onion mixture. Stir to combine.
Pour in the pizza sauce and simmer over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the beef mixture.

4. Assemble the Pizza Burgers

Place the halved burger buns on the prepared baking sheet.
Spoon the beef and pizza sauce mixture evenly onto each bun half, making sure it covers the bun completely.
Top each bun with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese.
Add pepperoni slices on top if desired for that authentic pizza flavor.

5. Bake

Bake the assembled pizza burgers in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Serve

Once baked, remove the pizza burgers from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Serve open-faced or place the top buns on each burger to create a full sandwich.
Enjoy with a side of salad, fries, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutritional Benefits of Old School Pizza Burgers

These pizza burgers provide a delicious, balanced meal with a good amount of protein and flavor. Here’s a breakdown of the key nutritional components:

Calories: Each pizza burger has approximately 400-550 calories, depending on the type of bun and cheese used. This makes it a moderately calorie-dense meal, great for a filling dinner.
Protein: With 20-30 grams of protein per burger, they’re a great source of lean protein from the beef and cheese, helping to keep you full and satisfied.
Fat: The total fat content is 20-30 grams per burger, with 8-15 grams of saturated fat. This comes from the beef and cheese, so while it’s a richer meal, it’s balanced with protein and flavor.
Carbohydrates: Each burger has 30-40 grams of carbohydrates, primarily from the buns and the pizza sauce. If you’re looking to reduce carbs, you can opt for a low-carb or gluten-free bun.
Fiber: These burgers provide about 2-4 grams of fiber per serving, which can help with digestion and keep you feeling full longer.
Sodium: The sodium content is 700-1000 mg per serving, which is relatively high due to the soy sauce and pizza sauce. You can opt for lower-sodium alternatives if you’re watching your sodium intake.

Serving Suggestions

These Old School Pizza Burgers are perfect for a variety of occasions:

For Dinner: Serve these pizza burgers as a fun and satisfying dinner with a side of crispy fries, a fresh salad, or even some steamed veggies.
For Game Day or Parties: These pizza burgers are perfect for parties, BBQs, or game-day snacking. You can make sliders by using smaller buns to create bite-sized versions that are easy to eat with one hand.
For Meal Prep: Make a batch of these pizza burgers ahead of time, store them in the fridge, and reheat them throughout the week for an easy lunch or dinner option.
With Dipping Sauces: Serve these pizza burgers with dipping sauces like marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or garlic butter for extra flavor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Old School Pizza Burgers are a fun, easy, and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of pizza and burgers in one satisfying dish. With their cheesy, savory beef mixture and the option to add your favorite pizza toppings, these burgers are a great choice for busy weeknights, parties, or casual family dinners. Quick to make, customizable, and packed with flavor, these pizza burgers are sure to become a new favorite in your meal rotation!

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