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Some food combinations just make sense, and pizza burgers are proof. They bring together a savory meat-and-tomato filling, plenty of stretchy mozzarella, Parmesan, and crisp, buttery English muffin halves for a meal that tastes like pizza but eats like an open-faced burger.
The best part? You can easily make the filling your own. Ground beef is a classic choice, but ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage all work beautifully. If you like a little tang, chopped pepperoncini add a bright, punchy contrast to the rich cheese and meat.
They’re also wonderfully practical. Make a batch for a quick family dinner, casual snack, game-day spread, or freezer-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir well, then pour in the marinara sauce. Let everything simmer for a few minutes so the flavors come together.
- Take the skillet off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella until melted and incorporated. If you're using pepperoncini, fold them in at this stage.
- Mix the melted butter with the grated garlic. Arrange the English muffin halves cut-side up on a baking sheet and brush each one generously with the garlic butter. This simple step gives the muffins a golden, garlicky base that makes the finished pizza burgers even more delicious.
- Spoon the warm meat mixture over each English muffin half. Don't worry if they look generously loaded—that's exactly what you want. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top, followed by a little Parmesan. The combination creates a bubbly, golden cheese layer when baked.
- Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the pizza burgers for about 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges are lightly crisp.
- For a more deeply browned, bubbly top, switch to the broiler for about 1–2 minutes at the end. Keep a close eye on them because cheese can go from beautifully golden to burned surprisingly quickly.
- Prefer using an air fryer? Place the assembled pizza burgers in the basket without overcrowding and cook at 350°F (175°C) for about 4–5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are crisp. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.
Easy Ways to Customize Them
The beauty of pizza burgers is that there isn’t one right way to make them.
Try ground beef for a classic burger-style filling, or use Italian sausage when you want extra seasoning and richness. Ground turkey or chicken keeps things lighter while still giving you plenty of protein.
You can also change the toppings. Try sliced olives, mushrooms, diced bell peppers, jalapeños, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Want more of a traditional pizza flavor? Add a few slices of pepperoni before the mozzarella.
For extra cheesiness, use a mixture of mozzarella and provolone.
How to Freeze Pizza Burgers
These are especially handy to keep in the freezer for busy days.
Arrange the assembled, unbaked pizza burgers on a parchment-lined plate or small baking sheet. Freeze them until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
When you’re ready to eat, there’s no need to thaw them first. Air-fry from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 6–8 minutes, checking toward the end to make sure they’re heated through and nicely crisp.
If you’re reheating a larger batch in the oven, allow a little extra time and make sure the center is hot before serving.
Tips for the Best Pizza Burgers
Don’t overload the filling. A generous spoonful is delicious, but piling on too much can make the English muffin difficult to eat.
Use freshly shredded mozzarella when possible. It melts smoothly and gives you that irresistible cheese pull.
Watch the broiler. The final browning step happens quickly, so stay nearby.
Toast for texture. If you love crispy pizza edges, give the English muffins a brief head start in the oven before adding the filling.
Adjust the salt. Italian sausage and Parmesan can already be salty, so taste the filling before adding extra seasoning.
What to Serve With Pizza Burgers
Pizza burgers are satisfying on their own, but they’re even better with something fresh and crunchy on the side. Serve them with a simple green salad, cucumber salad, roasted vegetables, or crispy potato wedges.
For a casual gathering, put out a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping. It turns these already cheesy bites into an even more indulgent snack.
The Perfect Make-Ahead Meal
If you’re the type of cook who loves having something delicious ready to go, these pizza burgers deserve a spot in your freezer. The individual portions make them easy to grab, heat, and enjoy without preparing an entire meal from scratch.
And because the filling is so versatile, you can make one batch with turkey, another with sausage, or even mix in your favorite pizza toppings.
Pizza night and burger night just became one very delicious meal.
