Old-school open-faced pizza burgers made with seasoned ground beef on a toasted bun, smothered in tomato sauce, melty cheese, and pepperoni!
Cafetaria classics like lunch lady peanut butter bars and American goulash are not only nostalgic but tasty, too!
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Key Takeaways: Open-Faced Pizza Burgers
- Old-school favorite: These open-faced pizza burgers are a 70s-style school classic made right at home.
- Pizza meets burger: Seasoned ground beef and pizza sauce are piled onto toasted buns with mozzarella and pepperoni.
- Easy to customize: Swap the cheese or add favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, olives, or peppers.
- Great for busy nights: Simple ingredients and minimal prep make these an easy family dinner.
Why I Love This Old School Recipe
These open-faced pizza burgers are a fun twist on a regular hamburger, topped with saucy ground beef (similar to sloppy joes), melty cheese, and pepperoni. pizza bagels and pizza muffins, they’re kid-friendly comfort food that never gets old.
They come together quickly with simple ingredients, making them perfect for busy weeknights, after school appetites, or feeding a crowd. Plus, the toppings are easy to customize.
Ingredient Notes
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.
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!
How to Make Pizza Burgers
Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion, breaking it up as it cooks, until no longer pink.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: Broil for an extra minute if desired, and finish with fresh basil before serving.
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.
Open Faced Pizza Burgers FAQs
What is an open-faced burger?
An open-faced burger is served on one half of a bun without a top bun. For these pizza burgers, the toasted buns are topped with seasoned ground beef, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni, then baked until hot and bubbly.
Hamburger buns are classic, but English muffins work well for a crispier base. Hawaiian rolls could work for smaller servings.
How do you keep pizza burgers from getting soggy?
Toast the buns for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the toppings to create a crisp base. It also helps to simmer the meat and pizza sauce mixture for a few minutes so it thickens before spooning it onto the buns.
Make the ground beef mixture ahead and refrigerate it, then assemble and bake when ready. The meat mixture can also be frozen for another meal.
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More fun ways to enjoy pizza flavors include bubble pizza, pizza pinwheels or pizza pasta casserole.
More Pizza Recipes
Open Faced Pizza Burgers
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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, brush some melted butter or olive oil on top (could sprinkle with extra garlic powder here too) and 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
- 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
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Tonnia Farley
Thanks!! Gonna make for quick family time together!!!
Alisha
A big hit in our home! My daughters and their friends loved them. Such a fun twist on a burger. – Alisha, recipe tester
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad everyone loved the open-faced pizza burgers. Such a classic!