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My pepperoni mushroom pizza burger was born when my teen and his buddies couldn't pick between burgers or pizza for their game night. This mash-up settled their debate and quickly became our go-to comfort food that tackles two cravings at once. It's loaded with cheese and packed with flavor in every bite.
I whipped this up first on a wet, gloomy weekend when we couldn't decide between two comfort foods. Now my family asks for it at least twice every month. My hubby swears it's the best thing after a night of drinking – but you'll have to try that theory yourself.
What You'll Need
- Ground beef: Go for 80/20 fat content to keep your burger juicy when it cooks under the broiler
- Salt: Brings out every flavor and properly seasons your meat
- Italian seasoning: Adds those pizza-style herbs right into your burger
- Black pepper: Gives that essential kick and flavor depth
- Unsalted butter: Makes a flavorful base for cooking your onions and garlic
- Yellow onion: Gets sweet and tender when cooked down
- Garlic: Adds that must-have fragrant punch
- Premade pizza crusts: Try to grab refrigerated ones instead of frozen for better results
- Pizza sauce: Any store brand works fine, or throw in homemade if you've got some
- American cheese: Creates that gooey, stretchy texture we want in a burger
- Mozzarella cheese: Buy a block and shred it yourself for better melting
- Parmesan cheese: Adds that sharp, salty kick that pulls everything together
- Pepperoni: Pick a quality brand that won't leave puddles of grease
- Canned mushrooms: Already the right size and saves prep time
How To Make It
- Get Everything Hot and Ready:
- Turn your broiler to high. This quick blast of heat will cook your meat fast while keeping the inside juicy. Grab your 12-inch oven-safe skillet and give it a good spray with cooking spray. Don't forget the sides so nothing sticks when you're baking.
- Shape Your Giant Patty:
- Push the beef across the whole pan in an even layer. Make sure it's the same thickness everywhere. Use a spoon to poke little dents all over the meat. This trick stops it from bulging up in the middle when cooking. Sprinkle your salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper all over, then lightly press them into the meat.
- Cook That Burger:
- Put your skillet on the middle rack of your hot oven. Let it broil for 15 minutes until the meat is done through and nicely browned on top. Carefully pull the hot pan out with good oven mitts. Move the burger to a plate. Dump out all the grease and wipe the pan clean with paper towels.
- Cook Your Flavor Base:
- Lower your oven to 450°F. Put your clean pan back on the stove over medium heat. Drop in your butter and let it melt until it starts bubbling slightly. Toss in your sliced onions and cook them for 8 minutes, giving them a stir now and then. Add your chopped garlic and cook 2 more minutes, stirring often so the garlic doesn't burn. Move this mix to a small plate.
- Start Building Your Creation:
- Lay one pizza crust flat in the bottom of your pan. Spread about 1/4 to 1/3 cup sauce over it, leaving a small border around the edge. Scatter your cooked onions and garlic evenly over the sauce. Carefully place your burger patty on top, making sure it's centered in the pan.
- Finish The Assembly:
- Lay your American cheese slices across the burger, overlapping them a bit to cover everything. Take your second pizza crust and place it bottom-side-up on top of everything, pressing the edges down gently to seal it. Spread your remaining sauce over this top crust. Sprinkle most of your mozzarella and all the Parmesan over the sauce. Arrange your pepperoni and mushrooms across the top, then finish with your leftover mozzarella.
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The real magic happens with our three-cheese combo. The American cheese gets all gooey inside the burger, the mozzarella gives you those long, stretchy pulls, and the Parmesan adds that rich flavor kick. My daughter called it the "cheese trifecta" once, and that's what we've been calling it at home ever since.
Keeping Leftovers
You can keep any extra portions in your fridge for up to 3 days if you wrap them tightly in foil. When you want to eat them, heat your oven to 350°F and warm them for 10-15 minutes until they're hot and the cheese melts again. Try not to use the microwave as it'll make your crust all soggy. You can wrap single slices and freeze them for up to a month, but just know the crust won't be as good as when it's fresh.
Mix It Up
Feel free to play around with this dish. You can swap the beef for ground turkey or a plant-based option to cut down on calories. Want some heat? Throw on some pickled jalapeños or drizzle hot honey before serving. Not a mushroom fan? Try some roasted red peppers, olives, or even pineapple instead. You can even use different flavored pizza crusts like garlic or herb to add another taste dimension.
What To Serve With It
This pizza burger stands on its own as a full meal, but I love pairing it with a simple arugula salad with just lemon juice and olive oil to balance out the richness. For a true pizza joint feel, add some garlic knots or breadsticks on the side. A cold beer or Italian soda goes perfectly with it. Put out small dishes of extra pizza sauce, ranch, or hot honey for dipping those crust edges.
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This hearty mashup is just the thing for those nights when you can't make up your mind. Give it a shot and I bet it'll soon be on your family's request list!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make this with homemade pizza dough instead of premade crusts?
You sure can! Make your own dough and bake it halfway (around 5-7 minutes at 450°F) before adding it to this recipe. This step makes sure the base cooks all the way through when you put it together with the patty and toppings.
- → How can I make this pizza burger healthier?
Go for lean ground beef or swap it out for ground turkey or chicken. Throw in extra veggies like bell peppers or spinach, pick whole wheat pizza base, and cut back on cheese. You might also want to try low-fat mozzarella for fewer calories.
- → Can I prepare components of this dish ahead of time?
Definitely! Cook your burger patty and soften the onions and garlic up to 24 hours ahead. Keep them in the fridge with a cover, then put everything together and bake when you're ready to eat. This cuts down your cooking time on the day you want to serve it.
- → What side dishes pair well with this pizza burger?
A fresh green salad with a tangy dressing works great against the richness. Other good matches include garlic bread, crispy sweet potato fries, or a simple veggie soup to round out this filling main dish.
- → Can I freeze leftover pizza burger slices?
You bet! Wrap each slice tightly in foil and put them in a freezer bag. When you want to eat them, let them thaw in your fridge overnight and warm them up in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until they're hot all the way through.
- → What other toppings would work well on this pizza burger?
You've got tons of options! Try adding crispy bacon, colorful bell peppers, savory olives, sweet pineapple, spicy jalapeños, or leafy greens like spinach or arugula. You can also play around with different meats such as crumbled sausage, diced ham, or thin prosciutto instead of or alongside the pepperoni.