Description
These Pepperoni Pizza Burgers combine the best flavors of a classic pizza with the satisfying heartiness of a burger. Juicy ground beef mixed with mozzarella, diced pepperoni, and pizza sauce is grilled to perfection, topped with melted cheese, and served on toasted buns with your choice of toppings. A delicious twist on traditional burgers that pizza lovers will adore!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 ounces Renard’s Mozzarella cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup diced pepperoni
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce, divided
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 pounds ground beef (80% lean)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 6 ounces Renard’s Mozzarella cheese, cut into six slices (1 ounce each)
- 6 hamburger buns, split
Optional Toppings
- Extra pepperoni
- Pickled peppers
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Ripe olives
Instructions
- Preheat and grease the grill: Grease the grill grate thoroughly to prevent sticking, then preheat the grill to medium heat, ensuring it reaches an optimal temperature for cooking burgers evenly.
- Mix cheese and pepperoni: In a large bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella cheese, diced pepperoni, half of the pizza sauce (1/2 cup), and dried oregano. This mixture adds authentic pizza flavor to the patties.
- Combine with ground beef: Crumble the ground beef over the cheese and pepperoni mixture. Gently mix just until combined, taking care not to overmix, which can toughen the patties.
- Form and season patties: Divide the mixture into six equal portions (about 1/3 pound each) and shape them into patties. Season both sides with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Grill the patties: Place the patties on the preheated grill, cover it, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes per side. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness, aiming for an internal temperature of 160°F for safe, juicy burgers.
- Add cheese slices: Once the patties are cooked through, top each with a mozzarella cheese slice. Cover the grill again and let the cheese melt for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Prepare the buns: Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of pizza sauce evenly onto the bottom halves of the hamburger buns, infusing them with classic pizza flavor.
- Assemble the burgers: Place the cheesy patties onto the sauced buns. Add any optional toppings such as extra pepperoni, pickled or bell peppers, red onion, and ripe olives according to your preference.
- Serve: Top with the bun tops and serve the Pepperoni Pizza Burgers hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to keep the burgers tender and juicy.
- Using an instant-read thermometer ensures the burgers are cooked safely without drying out.
- Feel free to customize toppings to suit your taste preferences.
- Using quality mozzarella cheese enhances the authentic pizza flavor.
- These burgers can also be cooked on a stovetop grill pan if an outdoor grill is not available.
