Old School Pizza Burgers

Pizza and burgers two all-time favorites—come together in this easy old school pizza burgers recipe. Think cafeteria-style comfort food with seasoned ground beef, tangy pizza sauce, and bubbly, melted mozzarella cheese, all layered on soft buns. This nostalgic dish is quick to make, kid-approved, and perfect for game nights, casual dinners, or a hearty lunch.

Why You’ll Love This

• Cafeteria nostalgia: Captures that classic school lunch vibe in your own kitchen
• Simple prep: Brown the ground beef, season, top buns, bake—it’s that easy
• Customizable: Swap in plant based alternatives or add extra toppings
• Crowd-pleaser: Melty, cheesy, and satisfying—great for family meals

Things That Matter

• A quality pizza sauce with good seasoning makes a big difference
• Mozzarella cheese delivers the familiar pizza burger look and flavor
• Preheating the oven and using a large baking sheet ensures even baking
• Letting the burgers rest helps the sauce settle and keeps buns from getting soggy

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Ingredients for Old School Pizza Burgers

Meat Mixture

This flavorful blend of ground beef and herbs brings bold, pizza-inspired flavor to every bite. Feel free to substitute plant based meat if you’re looking for a vegetarian twist.

• 1 pound lean ground beef – or use your favorite plant based ground meat alternative
• 1 cup pizza sauce – choose a thick, zesty variety to avoid soggy buns
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning – a classic mix to boost those rich pizza flavors

Assembly

Once the filling is prepped, it’s time to assemble the pizza burgers and get them oven-ready. This is where the magic happens—when the cheese is melted into golden perfection.

• 6 hamburger buns, split in half – perfect for supporting the toppings and toasting beautifully
• 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese – or swap with mozzarella cheese for a more traditional pizza experience

What Goes Into Them

These old school pizza burgers bring together all the best elements of classic comfort food, with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re keeping it traditional or exploring a plant based version, every bite delivers savory satisfaction.

• Ground beef serves as the hearty base, offering rich, juicy flavor that holds up well under broiling. Prefer meatless? A quality plant based ground works just as well for a vegetarian twist.
• Pizza sauce infuses the beef mixture with bold, tangy tomato flavor and just the right amount of moisture—key to avoiding dryness without making the buns soggy.
• Italian seasoning mimics that signature pizzeria aroma, combining dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme for that familiar and crave-worthy finish.
• Shredded cheese—whether sharp cheddar or mozzarella cheese—melts beautifully over the beef and sauce, creating a gooey layer of cheesy goodness. The moment that cheese is melted, you know it’s ready.

Once everything’s ready, you’ll assemble the pizza burgers open-faced, allowing each bun to soak in flavor and crisp in the oven while the cheese bubbles into a golden top layer.

Making Them Different

• Use only mozzarella cheese for a true pizzeria vibe
• Try a plant based ground meat alternative to make them vegetarian
• Add toppings like pepperoni slices, mushrooms, or bell peppers before baking
• Swap buns for slider rolls or sandwich thinner for mini versions

Equipement

• Large skillet – to brown beef and blend flavors
• Large baking sheet – holds all six pizza burgers for even bake
• Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring and spreading

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until fully browned—use a wooden spoon to break it up. This takes about 6–8 minutes.
3. Drain any excess fat, then add Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
4. Pour in pizza sauce and mix well with the meat. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning if needed.
5. While the beef mixture simmers, place the evaluated hamburger buns, cut-side up, on your prepared baking sheet.
6. Assemble the pizza burgers by spooning the hot beef sauce onto each bun half and spreading to the edges.
7. Evenly sprinkle cheese across each pizza burger—use mozzarella cheese for classic flavor or cheddar for richness.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown around the edges.
9. Let cool for 2–3 minutes before serving open-faced or topped with the other bun half.

You Need to Know

• Take time to drain beef so the sauce doesn’t get greasy
• Use quality pizza sauce—it’s the base of the flavor
• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet; buns should be spaced evenly
• Resting time lets cheese settle and makes handling easier

Storage and Reheating

• Leftovers store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container
• To reheat, place on a baking sheet and bake at 325°F for 5–7 minutes or until cheese is melty—this keeps buns crisp
• Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy buns

Baking Success Tips

• Bake in the oven (not toaster oven) to ensure even melting across all burgers
• Let the meat mixture simmer enough that it doesn’t release excess liquid on buns
• If using plant-based beef, cook thoroughly and similarly drain grease before mixing
• Bake until cheese is bubbly and golden, not just melted

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make them vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute plant based ground “beef” and use plant-based cheese for a meatless alternative.

What cheese is best?
For classic flavor, use mozzarella cheese. Sharp cheddar adds richness. A mix works great.

Can I prep ahead?
Yes—cook meat, store in fridge for up to 2 days, then assemble and bake when ready.

Can these be cooked in an air fryer?
Yes. Place 2-3 buns in a single layer in the air fryer at 360°F for 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tops are crisp.

Full Pizza Burger History

Did you know the modern pizza burger combines two beloved American foods: pizza and burgers? This dish showcases our love for customizable, cheesy comfort foods that blend flavors of two classics—fit for both nostalgia lovers and comfort-food seekers.

Final Thoughts

These old school pizza burgers combine cheesy, beefy flavor with the simplicity of hamburger buns. Whether you’re cooking for kids or craving classic comfort food, they’re an easy, satisfying recipe that’s sure to bring back memories—and make new ones. Add them to your rotation of quick dinners or weekend family meals.

More Bibodo Recipes to Try

Looking for more delicious ideas after you assemble the pizza burgers and enjoy all that gooey goodness? Here are some standout recipes from Bibodo that offer sweet, savory, and satisfying flavors—whether you’re into plant based options, cheesy comfort foods, or classic bakes.

• Strawberry Delight Recipe – This creamy layered dessert is a nostalgic favorite packed with whipped topping, fresh berries, and graham cracker crust. A perfect contrast to the savory richness of melted cheese.
• Lamb Tagine with Couscous – A Moroccan-inspired dish rich with spices and tender meat, it’s an elegant alternative to ground beef meals.
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes – Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these make a perfect side for your pizza burgers—especially if you love that combo of mozzarella cheese and garlic.
• Fluffy Banana Nut Muffins – Bake up a batch of these for an easy breakfast or snack after dinner. Their soft crumb and sweet flavor balance the tang of pizza sauce-based meals.
• Classic Chocolate Lava Cake – When the cheese is melted and the burgers are gone, finish strong with this rich, gooey dessert. It’s indulgence at its finest.

From plant based inspiration to cheesy bakes, Bibodo has something for every craving.