Craving the joy of pizza and burgers at once inspired these pizza burgers loaded with melty mozzarella and spicy pepperoni. The idea came to me on a game night when I wanted to please both pizza lovers and burger fans and this recipe has been a crowd favorite ever since.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: Choose 80 percent lean for juicy and flavorful patties Look for fresh beef with a deep red color and minimal liquid in the tray
• Italian seasoning: Brings that signature pizzeria taste Choose blends with visible herbs and avoid ones with excess fillers
• Garlic powder: Adds a savory depth to the meat for a classic pizza note Opt for pure garlic powder versus garlic salt for balanced seasoning
• Salt and black pepper: Enhance all the flavors Freshly ground black pepper gives a warm spicy kick
• Hamburger buns: Lightly toasted so they hold up to sauce and cheese Seek out bakery buns for best texture
• Pizza sauce: Use a good tomato based sauce for true pizza flavor Go for a brand with real herbs and no added sugars
• Mozzarella cheese: Shreds melt beautifully and stretch for that iconic pizza pull Use low moisture mozzarella for maximum gooeyness
• Pepperoni: Sliced for bold spiced flavor Thin consistent slices cook up with crisp edges and rich flavor

Instructions

Mix and Form Patties:

In a large bowl combine the ground beef Italian seasoning garlic powder salt and black pepper Work the spices in with your hands until the mixture is evenly seasoned Shape the seasoned beef into four equally sized patties making them slightly larger than your buns Allow them to rest on a plate while you prep other ingredients so the flavors meld

Toast the Buns:

Preheat a grill grill pan and your broiler to medium-high Arrange the split hamburger buns cut side up on a baking sheet Place them under the broiler and watch closely until they turn golden and crisp This process only takes a minute or two so do not walk away Remove and set the top buns aside for assembly

Grill the Patties:

Place the rested patties on the hot grill or grill pan Cook each burger for four to five minutes per side depending on your desired doneness Only flip once to develop a good crust on the outside They should be sizzling and releasing flavorful juices as they cook

Warm the Pizza Sauce and Build the Base:

As the burgers cook pour the pizza sauce into a small saucepan over low heat Stir occasionally to prevent scorching Spread half the warm sauce over the bottom halves of the toasted buns Sprinkle generously with half the shredded mozzarella and cover with half the pepperoni slices Place these prepared buns under the broiler for two to three minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and pepperoni edges begin to crisp

Finish and Assemble:

Once the burgers are cooked place each patty on the cheesy base buns Spoon the remaining sauce over each patty and sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella Arrange more pepperoni  on top and return to the broiler just until cheese is bubbling and pepperoni is crisp Working quickly cover each burger with the reserved top bun and serve while gooey and hot