Old school pizza burgers are the kind of retro comfort food I keep coming back to. They’re simple, cheesy, saucy, and packed with flavor—exactly what I remember from school lunches or family dinners growing up. These open-faced sandwiches combine everything I love about pizza and burgers in one bite, and they come together in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s fast, budget-friendly, and always satisfying. The beefy, saucy filling tastes like pizza night and burger night got together to make something extra delicious. Plus, it’s super customizable—I can keep it classic or dress it up with my favorite pizza toppings. It’s perfect for feeding a hungry crowd or making ahead for easy lunches.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Diced onion
- Minced garlic
- Pizza sauce or marinara
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Hamburger buns (split)
- Optional toppings: sliced pepperoni, olives, green bell peppers, mushrooms
Directions
- I start by browning the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, then add diced onion and garlic and cook until soft.
- I drain off any excess grease and stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. I let it simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- I stir in a bit of shredded cheese so the filling is extra gooey.
- I lay out the split hamburger buns on a baking sheet and spoon the meat mixture on top of each one.
- I sprinkle more cheese over each and add any optional toppings.
- I broil them in the oven for about 2–4 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- I let them cool slightly before digging in—they’re hot and melty fresh out of the oven.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 6–8 pizza burgers, depending on how full I pile the buns. Prep takes about 10 minutes, and cooking plus broiling takes around 15 minutes total. It’s an easy 25-minute meal start to finish.
Variations
- I sometimes swap the beef for Italian sausage or use half-and-half for extra flavor.
- Mini sandwich buns or slider rolls make perfect party-sized versions.
- Garlic bread or Texas toast makes a great base if I want extra crunch.
- For a spicy version, I add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the meat mixture.
Storage/Reheating
The filling stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I keep it separate from the buns so nothing gets soggy. To reheat, I warm the meat mixture on the stove or microwave, then assemble fresh and broil until melty. I’ve also frozen the meat mixture for up to 2 months—great for quick meals later on.
FAQs
Can I make these pizza burgers ahead of time?
Yes, I often prep the filling in advance and just assemble and broil when I’m ready to serve.
What kind of sauce works best?
I use pizza sauce or marinara—whatever I have on hand. I’ve even used leftover spaghetti sauce and it turned out great.
Can I make them vegetarian?
Definitely. I replace the ground beef with lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based meat alternative, and the flavor is still spot on.
What cheese is best for melting?
Mozzarella gives that classic pizza stretch, but I also like a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for extra flavor.
Do I need to toast the buns first?
Not necessarily. The broiler crisps them up just enough, but if I want an extra-toasty base, I toast the buns lightly before adding the filling.
Conclusion
Old school pizza burgers are the perfect nostalgic dinner when I want something easy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing. They’re fast to make, fun to eat, and completely customizable—whether I’m keeping it classic or loading them up with toppings. This is one of those simple recipes that always hits the spot.
Print
Old School Pizza Burgers
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 pizza burgers
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop, Broiler
- Cuisine: American
Description
These old school pizza burgers are a cheesy, nostalgic mashup of two classic comfort foods—pizza and burgers. Made with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and pizza sauce piled onto toasted buns, they’re quick, easy, and full of retro flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or a fun family meal!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup pizza sauce or marinara
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 6–8 hamburger buns, split
- Optional toppings: sliced pepperoni, black olives, green bell pepper, mushrooms
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add diced onion and garlic; cook until softened.
- Drain excess grease. Stir in pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Stir in ½ cup mozzarella and ¼ cup cheddar until melted into the beef mixture.
- Arrange split hamburger buns on a baking sheet. Spoon meat mixture onto each bun.
- Top each with remaining shredded cheese and any optional toppings.
- Broil on high for 2–4 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely!
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use garlic bread or Texas toast instead of hamburger buns for an extra-flavorful base.
- Great with ground sausage, turkey, or plant-based meat substitutes.
- Perfect for meal prep—store filling separately and broil fresh when ready to serve.
- Customize with your favorite pizza toppings for a fun twist.
