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Lunchroom Style Pizza Burgers

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Quick and easy pizza burgers are a nostalgic meal that will remind you of childhood. They are also a delicious way to get dinner on the table in a hurry.

pizza burger cut in half with one half being held up, melted cheese and pizza sauce coated meat center showing.

These family friendly pizza burgers are a perfect busy night meal. They come together in no time with very few ingredients.

You may be reminded of the school cafeteria lunches of your childhood in the best kind of way. This is the kind of nostalgia your taste buds (and kids!) will love.

Pizza burger night is always a good night at our house and it can be at your house as well. You can get a dinner they’ll love on the table without a lot of time or effort.

My husband has particularly fond memories of pizza burgers from his elementary school days. He says his school cook piled them high with that “government cheese.”

As cheese lovers, that makes them extra appealing. I can see why he still gets excited when we have them for dinner.

A Perfect Use for Leftover Buns

Pizza burgers are a great way to use up extra buns. If you overbought for a party, those excess hamburger and hot dog buns are the perfect base.

However, they are definitely good enough to warrant buying the buns specifically. You may want to put them on your weekly menu.

Adaptations and Substitutions

One of the best parts about pizza burgers is how adaptable they are. Sometimes we eat them open faced if we are trying to stretch a few buns into a whole meal.

Sometimes, like on this particular day, we turn the tops into toasted garlic bread. That adds another layer of goodness to the final product.

hamburger buns on baking tray with meat and cheese piled on them for pizza burgers.

You start with a pound of ground beef. Though you can use ground turkey or venison if you prefer.
 
If you want to sneak in some extra veggies, feel free to toss in some diced bell pepper, onions or mushrooms with the meat as you brown it. Then stir in the pizza sauce.

Scoop that delicious mixture on top of your buns. Then top it with yummy mozzarella cheese.

pizza burger and waffle fries on plate, ready to eat.

We usually use shredded cheese because that is what we are more likely to have on hand. However cheese slices make for easy and consistent full coverage.

If desired, brush the other half of the buns with garlic butter. Then bake until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.

You can have dinner on the table in under a half hour. Bonus: they are going to love it!

half of a pizza burger being held up to show the loose meat center and melty cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pizza burger made of?

This pizza burger recipe is like a pizza flavored version of a sloppy joe. It features pizza sauce, ground beef, and mozzarella cheese.

What do you serve with pizza burgers?

We tend to keep our side dishes simple when we make pizza burgers. Frozen french fries make an easy and fun side dish. Or try baby carrots and some dip or a simple green salad.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you like these fun pizza burger sandwiches, you are going to love my slow cooker chicken Parmesan sandwiches

Or make some fun little pizza burger sliders for an appetizer or fun dinner. Whether you make them big or small, they are sure to be a hit.

Instant Pot Maid Rites are another great sandwich option. The loose meat burgers are really simple, but really tasty.

What are your favorite busy night meals? I’d love to hear all about them!

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

pizza burger cut in half with one half being held up, melted cheese and pizza sauce coated meat center showing.

Pizza Burgers

Carlee
Quick and easy pizza burgers are a nostalgic meal that will remind you of childhood. They are a delicious way to get dinner on the table in a hurry.
4.87 from 30 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Dinners
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Sandwiches
Calories 411 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 15 ounce pizza sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Optional: finely diced onion and/or green pepper
  • 8 hamburger buns
  • 8 slices mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • In a large skillet, brown ground beef.  Drain any extra grease.
    1 pound lean ground beef
  • Season with garlic powder.  Stir in pizza sauce and green peppers or onions if desired.
    ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, 15 ounce pizza sauce
  • Place bottom halves of hamburger buns on a sheet pan. Spoon 1/8 of the meat mixture onto each bun. Top with a slice of cheese.
    8 hamburger buns, 8 slices mozzarella cheese
  • Melt butter and stir in the garlic salt. Brush over the tops of the hamburger buns and place on a second sheet pan.
    2 Tablespoons butter, ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • Place both trays in the oven and bake for about 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden to your liking. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 411kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 29gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 782mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7g
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Recipe Rating




Cecelia morgan

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Pizza burgers the bomb ...my husband and kids lives them . And yes , took us back also ,. To highschool lunchroom !

Carlee

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Isn't it funny how certain foods just remind you of a specific times and place in your life? We love them too!

Val

Saturday 19th of October 2019

I remember having pizza burgers at school lunch! I can't wait to make these at home and for on to go during harvest!

Carlee

Monday 4th of November 2019

Your kiddos will love them!

Andrea Nine

Friday 18th of October 2019

Oh my Goh, I do remember having pizza burgers at lunch. What a great, nostalgic recipe!!!

Carlee

Monday 4th of November 2019

They were a favorite then and they are one of our favorites now too!