Old-school open-faced pizza burgers made with seasoned ground beef on a toasted bun, smothered in tomato sauce, melty cheese, and pepperoni!

Open-faced pizza burgers with seasoned ground beef, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and fresh basil on toasted buns.

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Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe

These open faced pizza burgers were a 70s cafeteria classic for good reason. Just like pizza bagels and pizza muffins, they’re the kind of nostalgic comfort food that never gets old.

They’re great for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry crowd of teenagers after school because they come together quickly with ingredients you probably already have, and the toppings are customizable!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients for pizza burgers including ground beef, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, hamburger buns, onion, pepperoni, and seasonings.

Find the full printable recipe with directions below.

  • Ground beef: Lean ground beef won’t leave you with as much excess grease.
  • Pizza sauce: I prefer to use my homemade pizza sauce as it’s thicker than marinara or tomato sauce.
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese: I always recommend freshly grated from a ball or block of mozzarella; pre-shredded works in a pinch.
  • Hamburger buns or English muffins: Either works as they’re both sturdy enough to hold all the toppings.
  • Toppings: Mini pepperoni, fresh basil or parsley.
  • You’ll also need: Chopped onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

How to Make Pizza Burgers

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion, breaking it up as it cooks, until no longer pink.

Drain any excess grease, then stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes until warmed through and slightly thickened.

Ground beef and chopped onion cooking in a skillet as the base for pizza burgers.
Ground beef and onions in a skillet with pizza sauce and seasonings added for making pizza burger filling.

Arrange split buns on prepared baking sheet, cut side up, and lightly toast for 2–3 minutes. Spoon the meat mixture evenly over each half, top with mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni, then bake at 400°F for about 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Open-faced pizza burgers assembled on a lined baking sheet before baking with cheese and pepperoni topping.

Broil for an extra minute if desired, and finish with fresh basil before serving.

Close-up of open-faced pizza burgers with melted cheese, pepperoni slices, and fresh basil on toasted buns.

Recipe Tips

  • Toast the buns. They hold up better under the sauce.
  • Give the sauce time to thicken. This also helps prevent a soggy bun.
  • Serve immediately. Best enjoyed while the bread is toasty and the cheese is melty.

Variations

These pizza hamburgers are easily customizable! Swap the pepperoni for sausage or chicken, use a spicy pizza sauce, sprinkle on a little oregano, or use a cheese blend like mozzarella and Parmesan or provolone. You can also use Hawaiian rolls to make a burger version of pizza sliders!

Open-faced pizza burgers on toasted buns topped with seasoned ground beef, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and fresh basil.

More fun ways to enjoy pizza flavors include bubble pizza, pizza pinwheels or pizza pasta casserole.

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Close-up of mini open-faced pizza burgers with melted cheese, pepperoni slices, and fresh basil on toasted buns.

Open Faced Pizza Burgers

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 burgers
These cheesy old-school pizza burgers come together fast with ground beef, pizza sauce, and melty cheese on toasted buns. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper , to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns , or English muffins
  • 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

For topping: mini pepperoni, fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the onion, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
  • Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes until warm and slightly thickened.
  • Split buns or English muffins on the baking sheet, cut side up. If you like a crisp base, toast them in the oven for 2-3 minutes first.
  • Spoon the meat mixture evenly over each half, then sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese. Add mini pepperoni on top before baking.
  • Bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can broil for 1 minute if desired. Then top with fresh basil if desired.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Freezing: You can easily double the meat mixture and freeze it for another night.
Variations:
  • Swap mozzarella for a pizza blend or cheddar
  • Stir in mushrooms or olives for a “supreme” version
  • Use Hawaiian rolls for a fun slider version

Nutrition

Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 450mg, Potassium: 375mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 298IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 121mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.