Description
Cheesy pizza burger bake marries classic comfort foods in one mouthwatering dish. Layers of ground beef, melted cheese, and pizza sauce create a hearty meal that brings family and friends together for an irresistible culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 burger patties
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Bread and Sauce:
- 4 hamburger buns
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a large baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Season the ground beef with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, then form into four uniform burger patties.
- Sear the burger patties in a hot skillet with olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust.
- Split the hamburger buns and spread a layer of cream cheese on the bottom halves to create a rich, creamy base.
- Arrange the seared burger patties on top of the cream cheese-coated bun bottoms in the prepared baking dish.
- Generously drizzle pizza sauce and marinara sauce over each burger patty, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle a mixture of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses evenly across the burgers, creating a multi-cheese layer.
- Distribute pepperoni slices strategically over the cheese layer for additional flavor and texture.
- Dust the entire dish with dried oregano to enhance the pizza-inspired profile.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and cheese to partially melt.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly with slight golden edges.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 3-4 minutes to allow the cheese to set and flavors to intensify.
- Top with the remaining bun halves and serve immediately while hot and gooey.
Notes
- Select lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more enjoyable burger texture.
- Toast bun halves briefly before assembling to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess from sauces.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like smoked gouda or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
- Consider gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the dish’s essence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg