Next, I heat my grill or skillet over medium-high heat and add a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. After a few minutes of heating, I place the patties on the grill or in the skillet. They take about 4-5 minutes on each side to reach that beautiful medium doneness I love. Just before they’re done, I sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and diced pepperoni on top, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly. My kitchen instantly fills with a heavenly aroma that makes it hard to resist!
Once the cheese is melted and the patties are cooked through, I carefully place them on toasted burger buns. I always make sure to gently toast my buns to add a nice crunch that holds up against the juiciness of the burger. Before serving, I drizzle a bit more pizza sauce on top for that extra kick of flavor. Let me tell you, the first bite is absolute bliss!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I’ve made these pizza burgers a few times, and I’ve learned several tips along the way. For starters, using a combination of ground beef and ground pork can add an extra layer of flavor if you want to get adventurous. The fat from the pork keeps the burgers juicy, and the flavor is delightful!
Another tip is to spice up your pizza sauce. I like to mix in garlic powder, onion powder, or crushed red pepper into the sauce before spreading it on the bun. It brings a little more depth to the flavor profile and is an easy way to make each burger unique.
Lastly, I highly recommend letting the patties rest for a couple of minutes after cooking. It may be tempting to dive right in, but this resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moister burger that’s even better the second you take a bite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes I made when first making pizza burgers was crowding the pan or grill. It’s important to give each patty enough space; otherwise, the temperature drops too much, and they won’t sear properly. This leads to lackluster texture and taste, which is absolutely not what you want. (See the next page below to continue…)
Another pitfall is overcooking the patties. It’s tempting to leave them on for that “perfect” finish, but you want to pull them off when they’re just slightly underdone. The residual heat will finish cooking them as they sit, resulting in juicy goodness rather than a dry bite.
I also learned the hard way that skipping the cheese is a mistake! The melty mozzarella adds that quintessential pizza flavor and texture contrast. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even experiment with different cheeses, like provolone or pepper jack, to switch things up.