Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
If you’ve been on the hunt for a throwback dish that brings nostalgia and comfort to your dinner table, look no further than Old School Pizza Burgers. These are the beloved, cheesy open-faced sandwiches you remember from childhood cafeteria days—loaded with seasoned beef, Italian sausage, oozy mozzarella, and zesty pizza sauce, all piled on a toasted bun. It’s pizza night meets burger bliss, and it’s impossibly simple to whip up in just over half an hour!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Old School Pizza Burgers lies in how simple yet deeply flavorful the ingredients are. Every item in this lineup is a key player, creating layers of gooey, savory, classic Italian-American goodness. Don’t skip or swap—each one brings something special to the party!
- Ground Beef: Lean, juicy beef forms the backbone of the burger filling.
- Italian Sausage (casings removed): Adds spice and depth that brings the filling to life.
- Green Bell Pepper (chopped): Gives a sweet, slightly crunchy pop of color and flavor.
- Onion (chopped): Savory, aromatic, and essential for rounded flavor.
- Garlic Powder: For a subtle, well-rounded garlicky kick—no mincing required.
- Italian Seasoning: A pinch transforms the sauce to classic pizza flavor territory.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Just a touch if you like gentle heat in your bite.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To balance, enhance, and season every layer.
- Pizza Sauce: Provides tomatoey, herby moisture that ties the filling together.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: For those irresistible melty, stringy cheese pulls.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle for umami-rich depth (and a hint of saltiness).
- Hamburger Buns or Sandwich Rolls (split): The pillowy vessel for all that saucy magic.
How to Make Old School Pizza Burgers
Step 1: Brown the Meats
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. In a large skillet set over medium heat, combine the ground beef and Italian sausage. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break them apart—let them cook together until no pink remains and everything’s nicely browned and crumbly. Be sure to drain off any excess grease to avoid a soggy burger base later!
Step 2: Add the Veggies
Sprinkle the chopped green bell pepper and onion into the pan with your browned meat. Give everything a good stir and cook for about 4–5 minutes, just until the veggies become soft and fragrant. This quick sauté ensures soft, flavorful bites in every mouthful.
Step 3: Season the Filling
Time to crank up the flavor! Mix in the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if you want a bit of warmth), salt, and pepper. These pantry staples transform your burger mixture into something reminiscent of a bubbling pizzeria pie. Keep stirring for even seasoning.
Step 4: Simmer with Sauce
Pour in your pizza sauce, and let everything simmer together for 3–4 minutes. This lets the flavors mingle and the filling thicken up a little, creating that saucy, hearty texture everyone loves in Old School Pizza Burgers.
Step 5: Add the Cheese
Take the pan off the heat and immediately stir in 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese. The hot filling will melt the cheese right in, ensuring every bite is creamy and extra flavorful.
Step 6: Assemble and Top
Lay out your split buns or rolls on the foil-lined baking sheet, cut sides facing up. Generously spoon the pizza meat mixture onto each bottom half, spreading it all the way to the edges for maximum coverage. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella over the tops for that signature gooey finish.
Step 7: Bake Until Bubbly
Pop the tray in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 10–12 minutes. You’re looking for melted, bubbly cheese and toasty, golden edges. Serve your Old School Pizza Burgers hot and fresh, open-faced or topped—dealer’s choice!—and dig in.
How to Serve Old School Pizza Burgers
Garnishes
Put the finishing touches on your Old School Pizza Burgers with a flourish! Sprinkle on extra fresh basil or chopped parsley for a pop of color, or add some sliced black olives, mini pepperoni, or a few shakes of red pepper flakes for an extra pizza-like effect. A drizzle of garlic butter over the buns before baking is divine for garlic bread vibes.
Side Dishes
Turn these cheesy beauties into a spread that everyone will rave about. Classic sides like crisp oven fries, a fresh Caesar salad, or grilled corn make perfect companions. For a retro lunchroom throwback, pair with chilled fruit cups or crunchy carrot sticks. You truly can’t go wrong—it’s comfort food heaven!
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful! Serve Old School Pizza Burgers open-faced on a platter for casual family sharing, or wrap each in parchment and serve picnic-style for a fun twist. Cut into halves or quarters for game day snacks or party sliders. For the ultimate pizza burger bar, offer bowls of topping add-ins and let everyone customize their own masterpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Old School Pizza Burgers, no worries! Let them cool completely, then store the filling and buns separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This prevents sogginess and keeps everything tasting fresh.
Freezing
Old School Pizza Burgers are very freezer-friendly. Portion out the cooled meat filling into freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze the meat and rolls separately, and assemble and bake fresh when the craving strikes.
Reheating
To reheat, simply spoon the thawed (or chilled) meat filling onto buns, top with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. If you’re in a hurry, a quick zap in the microwave works too, but the oven keeps the buns crispier.
FAQs
Can I make Old School Pizza Burgers ahead of time?
Absolutely! Just prepare the meat mixture, let it cool, then store separately from the buns until ready to assemble and bake. This is perfect for prepping school lunches or a weekend party spread.
What kind of buns work best for Old School Pizza Burgers?
Sturdy hamburger buns, sandwich rolls, or even sub rolls all work wonderfully. It’s best to toast them lightly if you enjoy a bit of crunch beneath all that cheesy goodness.
Can I add other toppings?
Of course! Pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, or even pickled jalapeños make delicious mix-ins or toppers—just like building your favorite pizza. Get creative and tailor each pizza burger to your taste.
How spicy are these pizza burgers?
The spice level is mild as written, with just a suggestion of red pepper flakes. For a true kick, increase the flakes, use hot Italian sausage, or add diced jalapeño to the mix.
Are Old School Pizza Burgers kid-friendly?
They’re a hit with kids and grown-ups alike! If you have picky eaters, you can leave out the green peppers or onions, and let everyone sprinkle their own cheese and toppings before baking.
Final Thoughts
Old School Pizza Burgers are the kind of recipe that makes everyone smile—simple, hearty, and full of classic pizza flavor. Whether you’re reliving your school lunch days or creating brand new memories with friends and family, I can’t encourage you enough to try these. Give them a go, add your personal twist, and watch them disappear in seconds!
Print
Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Old School Pizza Burgers are a nostalgic twist on classic pizza flavors, combining seasoned ground beef and Italian sausage with gooey cheese and savory toppings, all baked to perfection on a hearty bun. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun weekend lunch!
Ingredients
For the Pizza Meat Mixture:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, split
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Cook the Meat: Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage in a skillet. Add green pepper, onion, and seasonings. Stir in pizza sauce and cheeses.
- Assemble: Place bun halves on the baking sheet. Spoon meat mixture onto each bottom bun half. Top with mozzarella. Bake until cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Enjoy hot, open-faced or as a sandwich.
Notes
- These pizza burgers are great for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
- Try adding pepperoni or olives for a twist.
- Toasting the buns before assembling adds extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pizza burger
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
