Old School Pizza Burgers spread a thick, Italian-seasoned ground-beef sauce over all twelve halves of six hamburger buns, then cover them with sharp cheddar and bake until bubbly. The open-faced format gives every portion crisp bread edges and a generous layer of topping.
The recipe produces 12 pizza-burger halves, listed as 6 servings, in 22 minutes. Brown the beef for 6–8 minutes, simmer it with sauce for 3–4 minutes, and bake the assembled halves at 350°F for 10–12 minutes before a short 2–3 minute rest.
Old School Pizza Burger Ingredients
The meat mixture requires 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 cup pizza sauce, and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning. Assembly uses exactly 6 hamburger buns split into 12 halves and 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar.
There is no pepperoni or mozzarella in this original formula. The seasoned saucy beef supplies the pizza flavor, and sharp cheddar forms the melted top.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Air Fryer Hot Italian Wraps.
How to Make Old School Pizza Burgers
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line or lightly grease a large baking sheet.
- Brown 1 pound ground beef over medium-high heat for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles.
- Drain excess fat, add Italian seasoning, and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in 1 cup pizza sauce and simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Arrange all 12 bun halves cut-side up without overlap.
- Divide the beef mixture over every half and add the 1½ cups cheddar.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Cool 2–3 minutes and serve open-faced or pair the halves.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Prepare the Baking Sheet
Brown One Pound of Beef
Bloom the Italian Seasoning
Simmer with One Cup Pizza Sauce
Split Six Buns into Twelve Halves
Divide the Beef to the Edges
Add One and One-Half Cups Cheddar
Bake for Ten to Twelve Minutes
Cool for Two to Three Minutes
Serving and Reheating
Avoid Soggy or Uneven Pieces
Conclusion
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a large sheet pan. Brown 1 pound lean ground beef for 6–8 minutes and drain. Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning for 1 minute, then stir in 1 cup pizza sauce and simmer 3–4 minutes. Arrange the twelve cut sides from six buns on the pan. Divide the beef and 1½ cups sharp cheddar evenly over them. Bake 10–12 minutes and cool 2–3 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How many pizza burgers does the recipe make?
It makes twelve open-faced bun halves, listed as six servings.
- → What cheese is used?
Use 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar.
- → How long should the beef simmer with sauce?
Simmer it for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- → Can the halves be served as closed burgers?
Yes. Serve them open-faced or pair a top and bottom after the 2–3 minute cooling rest.