If you’re the kind of person who lights up at the mere mention of nostalgic food, Old School Pizza Burgers are about to become your new obsession. Imagine a juicy, savory ground beef mixture loaded with classic pizza flavors, smothered in gooey cheese, and sandwiched between golden-toasted buns. These aren’t just burgers—they’re a throwback to school cafeteria favorites and family dinners, bursting with familiar pepperoni and herby tomato sauce in every bite. Whether you’re craving a retro comfort meal or introducing a new generation to a childhood staple, Old School Pizza Burgers are comfort food at its absolute finest.

Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a short list of simple ingredients, you’ll be amazed how each one brings something special to this beloved classic. Every item here is a building block for those unmistakable flavors and textures that make Old School Pizza Burgers a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Ground beef (1 pound): The base for hearty, savory flavor and satisfying texture.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Essential for seasoning and drawing out the flavors of the beef and sauce.
Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds subtle heat and depth to the beef mixture.
Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Infuses the filling with herby, classic pizza aromas.
Garlic powder (½ teaspoon): Delivers that signature, aromatic punch you expect in pizza anything.
Onion powder (½ teaspoon): Backs up the garlic and boosts umami richness.
Pizza sauce (1 cup): The soul of the burger—tangy, zippy, and packed with Italian flavor.
Shredded mozzarella cheese (1 cup): For that perfectly melted, stretchy cheese pull.
Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): Brings a salty, nutty contrast that sharpens every bite.
Hamburger buns, split (4): The soft, fluffy vehicle for your pizza burger dreams.
Pepperoni slices (8, optional): Adds a playful, spicy hit for the classic pizza flavor.
Olive oil (1 tablespoon, for brushing): Helps toast the buns to golden perfection.

How to Make Old School Pizza Burgers

Step 1: Brown and Season the Beef

Begin by setting a skillet over medium heat and adding your ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until fully browned, making sure there are no pink spots left. Once browned, drain any excess grease to keep things from getting soggy. Now sprinkle in the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Give it all a good stir, letting the seasonings soak into the beef for a minute—you’ll smell those classic pizza aromas instantly!

Step 2: Simmer with Sauce

Pour the pizza sauce right into the skillet, turning the beef into a saucy, savory filling. Simmer for another three to four minutes, stirring occasionally. This step is key; letting the sauce simmer ensures that every crumb of beef gets infused with tomatoey, herby flavor, and your kitchen will start to smell like a pizzeria!

Step 3: Mix in the Cheeses

Take the skillet off the heat and mix in half of the mozzarella cheese, plus all the Parmesan. Stir until the cheeses melt and meld with the beef mixture, turning it irresistibly creamy and flavorful. This gooey mixture is what takes Old School Pizza Burgers over the top.

Step 4: Assemble on Buns

Grab a baking sheet and lay out all your hamburger bun halves, cut side up. Generously spoon the cheesy beef mixture onto each bottom half. Pile on the remaining mozzarella cheese for that extra-melty finish and, if you’re feeling extra indulgent, crown each with a slice or two of pepperoni. Arrange the top halves of the buns cut side up on the same tray and brush them lightly with olive oil for that golden, crispy texture once baked.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven (375°F, or 190°C) and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for the cheese to bubble and blister, and for the buns to turn lightly golden. Your Old School Pizza Burgers are ready when the kitchen smells like pure comfort and the cheese is fully melted. Plate them up and get ready for nostalgia to hit with each bite!

How to Serve Old School Pizza Burgers

Garnishes

The beauty of Old School Pizza Burgers is that you can dress them up or down. Classic garnishes like chopped fresh basil, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or extra grated Parmesan on top add a personal touch. If you want crunch, top with a few thinly sliced pickled peppers or even some shredded lettuce for a retro twist.

Side Dishes

To complete your pizzeria-inspired meal, pair these pizza burgers with crispy baked fries, a tangy coleslaw, or a green salad tossed with Italian dressing. Potato chips or a simple tomato-cucumber salad work wonders for busy weeknights and potlucks alike. Whatever you choose, these sides complement the melty, meaty goodness of Old School Pizza Burgers perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

Serving for a party or game day? Try slicing the assembled Old School Pizza Burgers into halves or quarters and secure them with fun toothpicks—they become instant finger food. Or serve them “open face” style with marinara for dipping. For a family movie night, wrap them in parchment for a diner-style surprise. However you serve them, these pizza burgers are sure to steal the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extras (which is rare!), let the Old School Pizza Burgers cool to room temperature, then wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. They reheat well and stay satisfyingly flavorful.

Freezing

Old School Pizza Burgers are freezer-friendly! Make a batch or two, assemble as directed (but don’t bake yet), then wrap each individually in foil and freeze for up to two months. When ready, bake from frozen, adding just a couple extra minutes in the oven until hot and bubbly.

Reheating

To revive leftover pizza burgers, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until everything is heated through and the cheese is gooey again. For a quick fix, you can microwave in 30-second bursts, but the oven will keep the buns crispier and prevent sogginess.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner alternative that soaks up all the pizza flavors beautifully. You may want to add an extra splash of olive oil to keep the filling moist and juicy.

How do I make these pizza burgers vegetarian?

You can swap in your favorite meatless crumbles or cooked lentils for the ground beef—the seasoning and sauce will give you all the classic flavors. Just watch the liquid content so your filling doesn’t get soggy.

What’s the best way to make these ahead for a party?

Prepare the beef mixture a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, assemble the Old School Pizza Burgers on buns, add cheese and toppings, and bake just before your guests arrive. It’s a huge time-saver!

Can I add extra vegetables?

Definitely! Dice up some bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions and sauté with the ground beef. Just be sure to cook off any excess moisture so the buns don’t get soggy.

Are these kid-friendly?

Kids adore Old School Pizza Burgers for their familiar flavors and melty cheese. You can skip the pepperoni or use a milder pizza sauce to suit young taste buds, and let them help sprinkle on the cheese for some kitchen fun.

Final Thoughts

If you love a good throwback dish that brings comfort and smiles to the table, you absolutely have to try these Old School Pizza Burgers. They’re simple, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying—perfect for getting everyone together over an unforgettable meal. Fire up your oven and get ready to make some new memories!

Old School Pizza Burgers Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Old School Pizza Burgers are a nostalgic twist on classic burgers, featuring seasoned ground beef, gooey cheeses, and zesty pizza sauce baked to perfection on hamburger buns. A fun and delicious meal for both kids and adults!

Ingredients

Scale

For the beef mixture:

1 pound ground beef
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder

Additional ingredients:

1 cup pizza sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 hamburger buns (split)
8 slices pepperoni (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the beef: Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, seasoning it with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in the pizza sauce and cheeses.
Assemble the burgers: Spread the beef mixture on the bottom halves of the buns, top with remaining mozzarella and pepperoni if desired. Brush the top halves with olive oil.
Bake: Bake the assembled burgers for 10–12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Enjoy the pizza burgers hot!