These Mini Pizza Burgers combine two comfort food favorites—juicy burgers and cheesy pizza—into one irresistible bite-sized meal. Perfect for family dinners, game day, parties, or an easy weeknight recipe, these mini burgers are topped with rich pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite pizza toppings, then baked until bubbly and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Kid-friendly and party-perfect
- Juicy, cheesy, and full of pizza flavor
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
- Great for appetizers, lunches, or casual dinners
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 mini burgers
Ingredients
For the Burgers
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 for juicy burgers)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Pizza Topping
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices pepperoni (optional)
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup diced green bell pepper
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For Serving
- 8 mini burger buns or slider buns
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Kitchen Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet or oven-safe skillet
- Grill pan or skillet
- Spatula
- Pastry brush
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Burger Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently until just combined.
Avoid overmixing to keep the burgers tender.
Step 2: Form the Patties
Divide the meat into 8 equal portions and shape each into a small patty slightly larger than the buns, as they will shrink while cooking.
Step 3: Cook the Burgers
Heat a skillet or grill over medium-high heat.
Cook each patty for about 3–4 minutes per side, or until nearly cooked through.
Transfer to a baking sheet.
Step 4: Add the Pizza Toppings
Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over each burger.
Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Add pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, onions, or any favorite pizza toppings.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Bake the topped burgers for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Step 6: Toast the Buns
Mix the melted butter with garlic powder and parsley.
Brush the cut sides of the buns and toast them in the oven or on a skillet until lightly golden.
Step 7: Assemble
Place each pizza burger on a toasted bun.
Add extra pizza sauce if desired and serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Delicious Variations
Deluxe Pizza Burger
Add mushrooms, sausage crumbles, and extra mozzarella.
Hawaiian Style
Top with pineapple chunks and Canadian bacon.
Meat Lovers
Use pepperoni, bacon, Italian sausage, and ham.
Veggie Pizza Burger
Add mushrooms, spinach, olives, onions, tomatoes, and peppers.
Spicy Version
Use jalapeños, spicy pepperoni, crushed red pepper flakes, and pepper jack cheese.
Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook the patties before baking.
- Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded.
- Toasting the buns helps prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Use lean ground beef if you prefer less grease.
- Let the burgers rest for 2 minutes before serving to keep them juicy.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked patties (without buns) for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave until heated through.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Mini Burger)
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg