Pizza Burgers on Garlic Bread Buns
Pizza Burgers on Garlic Bread Buns combine juicy Italian-seasoned beef patties with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni, all served on crispy homemade garlic bread buns. This easy dinner mashup brings together the best of two classic comfort foods in one irresistible bite. Ready in about 35 minutes and endlessly customizable, it is perfect for weeknight dinners or game day gatherings.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Cast iron skillet or grill pan
- Baking sheet
- Serrated knife
- Instant-read meat thermometer
Ingredients
For the Patties
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Garlic Bread Buns
- 1 loaf thick Italian bread cut into 4 bun-sized portions and halved horizontally
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
For the Pizza Toppings
- 0.5 cup marinara sauce warmed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20 slices pepperoni about 5 per burger
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small bowl, mix the softened butter with the minced garlic, garlic powder, and fresh parsley until smooth and well combined.
- Spread the garlic butter generously over the cut sides of each Italian bread portion. Place them butter-side up on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until golden, crispy, and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Divide into 4 equal portions and press into patties slightly wider than your bread slices.
- Heat a cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side without pressing them down, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- In the last minute of cooking, spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of warmed marinara sauce over each patty, then top with a generous portion of shredded mozzarella and 4 to 5 pepperoni slices. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and allow the cheese to melt fully, about 1 minute.
- Place each pizza burger patty onto a toasted garlic bread bun bottom. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Top with the remaining garlic bread half and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
Do not press the patties while cooking, as this forces out the juices and results in a dry burger. Toast the garlic bread buns until truly crispy so they can hold the saucy patty without becoming soggy. Warm the marinara before adding it to the patties to keep the burger hot throughout. Cooked patties can be stored separately from the buns in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Patties freeze well for up to 2 months. Reheat patties in a covered skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave with a damp paper towel. Re-toast buns in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes to restore crunch.