Pepperoni Pizza Burgers bring together two all-time favorites into one bold, cheesy, and savory handheld meal.
This crowd-pleaser is perfect for grilling season or game night.
With melty mozzarella, spiced pepperoni, and tangy pizza sauce packed into a juicy burger patty, it’s a flavor-loaded twist on classic comfort food.
Ingredients
Renard’s Mozzarella – A creamy, melt-friendly cheese that holds the pizza theme together and adds luscious texture to each bite.
Diced Pepperoni – Brings a savory, slightly spicy kick, infusing the burgers with signature pizza flavor throughout.
Pizza Sauce – A tangy, herby binder and condiment that enhances the Italian-inspired taste of the burger patties and buns.
Ground Beef (80% lean) – The base of the burger, offering juicy richness and holding the pizza-style ingredients together.
Dried Oregano – Elevates the flavor with a traditional pizza herb aroma that balances the richness of cheese and meat.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
These burgers are infused with pepperoni and mozzarella, then grilled to perfection and topped with more melty cheese.
A final slather of pizza sauce and your choice of toppings complete the masterpiece.
Tips to Master the Best Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
To keep the patties tender and juicy, mix the ingredients just until combined overmixing can lead to dense burgers.
Try to press the pepperoni into the beef well so it stays intact on the grill.
For extra indulgence, grill the buns lightly and add extra mozzarella or pepperoni on top for a pizzeria-style finish.
Storing Leftover Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
Store cooked burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
For freezing, wrap individual patties tightly and store up to two months.
Reheat in a skillet or microwave until hot and the cheese is melted again.
Store buns separately to avoid sogginess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes, ground turkey or chicken works, but make sure to add extra moisture like a tablespoon of olive oil or grated onion to prevent dryness.
What kind of pizza sauce is best?
Use a thick, flavorful pizza sauce—homemade or store-bought. Avoid runny sauces, which can make the burger soggy.
Can I cook these on a stovetop instead of a grill?
Absolutely. Use a grill pan or skillet over medium heat and follow the same cooking times, flipping only once for the best sear.
Are there good vegetarian alternatives?
You can swap the beef for a plant-based burger mix and use veggie pepperoni. Just make sure the mix holds together well and isn’t too soft when raw.
Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
Ingredients
- 6 hamburger buns halved
- 6 ounces mozzarella cheese sliced into six 1-ounce portions
- 2 pounds ground beef 80% lean
- 3/4 cup pizza sauce divided use
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 cup finely chopped pepperoni
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese 1 1/2 cups
- Optional garnishes: sliced pepperoni pickled peppers, chopped bell peppers, red onion, and sliced black olives
Instructions
- Lightly oil the grill grates and preheat the grill to medium heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the shredded mozzarella, chopped pepperoni, 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce, and oregano.
- Add the ground beef by crumbling it over the cheese mixture and stir just until all ingredients are evenly combined. Shape the mixture into six equal-sized patties, each weighing approximately 1/3 pound. Season both sides of each patty with salt and pepper.
- Place the patties on the grill, cover, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes per side, or until an internal temperature of 160°F is reached.
- Add a slice of mozzarella to each patty during the final 1 to 3 minutes of grilling, covering the grill to melt the cheese. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of pizza sauce onto the bottom halves of the buns.
- Assemble each burger with a patty and preferred optional toppings, then close with the top halves of the buns.