Pepperoni Pizza Burger
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If pizza night and burger night had a delicious baby, these Pepperoni Pizza Burgers would be it.
Juicy ground pork and Italian sausage burgers are loaded with diced pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, then topped with pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Piled onto toasted garlic butter buns, every bite delivers all the flavors of your favorite pepperoni pizza in burger form.
These burgers are big, hearty, and made to satisfy even the hungriest pizza lovers. As written, the recipe makes 4 generously sized burgers, perfect for backyard cookouts, game days, or feeding a crowd with big appetites. Want to stretch the recipe a little further? Divide the mixture into 6 smaller patties, and you’ll still have plenty of cheesy pizza flavor in every bite.
Iowa Pork sponsors this recipe, but my opinions here and lifelong love of pork and pork farmers are all my own.
So excited to be working with my friends at Iowa Pork again this summer! When they asked me to develop a recipe for them this year, my brain went immediately to a burger. Burgers and summer just go hand in hand, don’t they?
Pepperoni Pizza Burger Recipe
Sometimes it’s fun to shake up your usual burger routine, and these pizza-inspired burgers do exactly that.
The combination of ground pork, Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, and pizza sauce creates a burger that’s packed with flavor from the inside out. Unlike traditional burgers, where the toppings do all the work, these burgers have pizza flavor mixed right into the patties.
They’re perfect for summer grilling season, but don’t feel limited to warm weather. These burgers can be cooked on an outdoor grill, a grill pan, or in a skillet, making them an easy dinner option year-round.
Best of all, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Kids love the pizza flavors, adults love the hearty burger, and everyone loves the garlic butter buns.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You will find the complete measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Ground Pork – Ground pork creates a juicy, flavorful base for the burgers and pairs perfectly with classic pizza flavors.
- Italian Sausage – Italian sausage adds seasoning and richness that gives these burgers their signature pizza-inspired taste.
Substitution: Mild or hot Italian sausage both work well, depending on your family’s preference.
- Pepperoni – Pepperoni is used both inside and on top of the burgers to make sure every bite tastes like pizza.
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella Cheese – Low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully and helps create pockets of cheesy goodness throughout the burgers.
Tip: Skip fresh mozzarella for this recipe. It contains more moisture and can make the burgers softer than desired.
- Italian Seasoning – A little Italian seasoning helps reinforce those classic pizza flavors.
- Garlic Powder – Garlic powder distributes evenly throughout the burger mixture without adding extra moisture.
- Pizza Sauce – Pizza sauce brings all of the flavors together and adds that unmistakable pizza-shop taste. Marinara Sauce also works well!
- Parmesan Cheese – A sprinkle of Parmesan adds a salty, savory finish.
- Butter and Garlic – These simple ingredients transform ordinary hamburger buns into garlic bread-style buns.
- Hamburger Buns – Choose sturdy buns that can stand up to all of the cheesy, saucy toppings.
How to Make Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
Start by preparing the pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. Reserve pepperoni slices for topping, and finely dice the remaining pepperoni for the burger mixture. Shred a portion of the mozzarella and slice the rest for topping.
Combine the ground pork, Italian sausage, diced pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix gently until just combined.
Form the mixture into patties and press a small indentation into the center of each burger. Chill the patties before cooking to help them hold their shape.
Prepare the garlic butter buns while the burgers chill.
Cook the burgers on a grill, grill pan, or skillet until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. During the final minutes of cooking, top with pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, and Parmesan cheese.
Place the burger on the bottom bun, top with the top bun, and serve immediately.
Servings Ideas: Homemade Double-Fried French Fries, Italian Style Baked Zucchini Chips, Antipasto Pasta Salad, Caprese Salad, Roasted Parmesan Potato Wedges, or this quick Italian Bean Salad recipe.
Storage, Freezing & Make Ahead Instructions
Store leftover pizza burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, store the buns separately from the cooked burgers and toppings to prevent them from becoming soggy.
To reheat, warm the burgers in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a 350°F oven until heated through.
If you’d like to prep ahead, the burger patties can be mixed and formed up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to cook. The garlic butter mixture can also be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until needed.
For longer storage, the uncooked burger patties freeze beautifully. Place the formed patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top freezer bag, placing parchment paper between layers if stacking. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking as directed.
Cooked burger patties can also be frozen. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap individually and store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat until warmed through before serving.
Love it? Pin it!
If you can’t wait to make these Pepperoni Pizza Burgers, make sure you can find the recipe! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go.
Internal Temperature of Pork
Pork is incredibly versatile, with a variety of cuts that can be prepared in so many different ways. On my site, you’ll find plenty of pork recipes that highlight this, but it’s important to remember that each cut has its own best cooking method and ideal internal temperature. Thankfully, Iowa Pork has a helpful Pork Cooking Temperature Guide that makes it simple to know when your pork is perfectly cooked.
To check for doneness, use a digital meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the cut, making sure it isn’t touching any bone. When the pork reaches the recommended internal temperature, take it off the heat and allow it to rest for three minutes before serving.
Tips & Tricks for Success
- Use low-moisture mozzarella cheese for the best texture and melt.
- Mix the burger ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can create dense burgers.
- Chill the patties before cooking to help them hold their shape.
- Finely dice the pepperoni so it distributes evenly throughout the burger mixture.
- Watch for flare-ups when grilling outdoors. The Italian sausage and pepperoni can create extra drippings.
- Toasting the garlic butter buns adds flavor and helps prevent sogginess.
- Use a meat thermometer and cook the burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F.
FAQs: Pepperoni Pizza Cheeseburgers
- Can I make these burgers smaller? Absolutely. This recipe makes 4 large burgers, but you can easily divide the mixture into 6 smaller patties if preferred.
- Can I cook these indoors? Yes. A grill pan or large skillet works beautifully and makes this recipe perfect for year-round cooking.
- Why do I need to chill the patties? Chilling helps the burgers hold their shape and makes them easier to flip, especially when grilling.
- Can I prepare the burgers ahead of time? Yes. The patties can be formed up to 24 hours before cooking and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- What temperature should pork burgers be cooked to? Ground pork and sausage burgers should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F as measured with an instant-read thermometer.
- Can I freeze the burger patties? Yes. Form the patties, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
For the Love of Pork
One of the reasons these Pepperoni Pizza Burgers are so delicious is the flavor that pork brings to the table. While I didn’t grow up on a farm myself, my husband was raised on an Iowa farm where they raised hogs, so pork has always been a big part of family meals around here. Ground pork is naturally juicy, rich, and savory, making it the perfect base for all of the pizza-inspired flavors packed into these burgers. It readily takes on the flavors of the Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, and pizza sauce while still delivering plenty of flavor of its own.
Of course, everyone at my table is focused on the cheesy, pizza-inspired goodness piled onto these burgers. What they don’t realize is that while they’re enjoying all that flavor, I’m smiling on the inside knowing they’re also getting the nutritional benefits pork provides. Pork is a high-quality source of protein and several important vitamins and minerals, making it an easy choice when I’m planning meals for my family.
I also love how easy pork makes mealtime. With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these burgers come together without a lot of fuss, whether you’re planning a Father’s Day cookout, hosting friends for a backyard barbecue, or making a fun family dinner any night of the week.
And when you purchase pork at your local grocery store, you’re supporting farm families across the United States. In fact, about one-third of all the pork raised in the country comes from Iowa. Most of that pork is enjoyed right here at home, helping provide delicious meals for families while supporting generations of hardworking American farmers.
More Pork Recipes to Love
If pepperoni is your favorite, boy, do I have a couple of recipes that you are going to adore! My Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese (pictured above), Pepperoni Pizza Bread, Pepperoni Pizza Dip, and Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza will have you drooling!
Be sure and check out these comfort classics too: Pork Stew, No Peek Pork Chops and Rice, Breakfast Sliders, Creamy Bacon Soup, Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, or this Pork Roast and Gravy. You can find all of my pork recipes here.
Be sure to follow along with Iowa Pork on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter for delicious pork recipes year-round!
If you’re looking to shake up your burger game this summer, these Pepperoni Pizza Burgers are the perfect place to start. Loaded with pizza flavors, piled high on garlic butter buns, and packed with Iowa Pork goodness, they’re guaranteed to be the burger everyone talks about long after the last bite.
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Pepperoni Pizza Burgers
Ingredients
For the Burger:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 (6-ounce) package sliced pepperoni, divided
- 1 (8-ounce) block low-moisture mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Top:
- ¾ cup pizza sauce
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 3 Pepperoni slices
- Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
For the Garlic Butter Buns:
- ½ stick (1/4 cup) salted butter room temperature
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 4 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Remove 12 pepperoni slices from the package and set aside for topping the burgers later. Finely dice enough of the remaining pepperoni to measure ½ cup.
- Shred ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese from the block and set aside. Slice the remaining mozzarella into 4 slices for topping the burgers.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, ground Italian sausage, finely diced pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix gently with your hands just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Divide the meat mixture into 4 equal portions and form into burger patties slightly larger than the buns, as they will shrink while cooking. Press a slight indentation into the center of each patty with your thumb. Refrigerate the patties for 15-20 minutes to help them hold their shape while cooking.
- While the burger patties chill, stir together the softened butter and minced garlic in a small bowl. Spread onto the cut sides of the hamburger buns. Set aside.
- Preheat a grill, grill pan, or large skillet over medium heat. Cook the burgers for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- During the last 1-2 minutes of cooking, spoon pizza sauce evenly over each burger. Top each burger with a slice of mozzarella cheese, 3 reserved pepperoni slices, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Cover loosely to help the cheese melt.
- While the burgers cook, toast the buns cut-side down on the grill or in a skillet until golden brown.
- Place the burgers onto the toasted garlic butter buns and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use low-moisture mozzarella cheese for the best texture and melt. Fresh mozzarella contains too much moisture and can make the burgers soft.
- Mix the burger ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can create dense, tough burgers.
- Chilling the patties before cooking helps them hold their shape and makes them easier to flip, especially when grilling.
- Because the burgers contain Italian sausage and pepperoni, flare-ups can happen on the grill due to the higher fat content. Keep a close eye on them and move burgers to a cooler area of the grill if needed.
- Cook burgers to an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Finely dicing the pepperoni helps distribute the flavor evenly throughout the burgers and prevents the patties from breaking apart while cooking.
- Pressing a small indentation into the center of each patty helps prevent the burgers from puffing up while cooking.
- Toasting the garlic butter buns adds flavor and helps keep the buns from getting soggy from the pizza sauce.
