Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake

This Pizza Burger Bake is the ultimate comfort food — juicy ground beef, gooey cheese, and pizza flavors baked together in a warm casserole-style dish. It’s perfect for weeknights, game day gatherings, or when you can’t decide between pizza and burgers!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color works!)

• 1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 4 hamburger buns, sliced in half

• Optional toppings: sliced tomatoes, black olives, mushrooms, or jalapeños

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cook Beef Mixture: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper until beef is browned and vegetables are soft. Drain excess grease.

3. Season: Stir in pizza sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

4. Assemble Bake: Place the bottom halves of the hamburger buns in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the buns.

5. Add Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the beef.

6. Top with Buns: Place the top halves of the buns over the cheese to form sandwiches.

7. Bake Covered: Cover dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

8. Bake Uncovered: Remove foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and tops are lightly toasted.

9. Serve: Slice, serve hot, and add your favorite toppings if desired.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with crispy fries, tater tots, or a side salad for a complete meal.

• Pair with marinara or ranch dipping sauce for extra flavor.

• Serve as sliders for parties by using mini buns.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of hot sauce.

• Meat Lovers: Mix in cooked bacon, Italian sausage, or pepperoni slices with the beef mixture.

• Veggie Style: Use ground turkey or plant-based meat, add spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for a lighter version.

• Cheese Lovers: Try provolone, pepper jack, or smoked gouda for a flavor twist.

• BBQ Style: Swap pizza sauce for BBQ sauce and top with pickles and crispy onions.

20 FAQs

1. Can I make this ahead of time?
   Yes! Assemble the bake, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.

2. Can I freeze it?
   Yes, freeze the assembled dish (before baking) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

3. Can I use ground turkey or chicken?
   Absolutely. Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles work well.

4. What type of bread works best?
   Hamburger buns are great, but you can also use slider buns, hoagie rolls, or even sliced French bread.

5. Can I make it low-carb?
   Yes, skip the buns and layer the beef mixture and cheese in a casserole dish for a keto-friendly version.

6. Can I add extra veggies?
   Yes! Mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or even corn work beautifully.

7. What cheese melts the best?
   Mozzarella melts beautifully, but mixing with cheddar gives you a nice flavor boost.

8. Can I double this recipe?
   Yes — just use a larger baking dish or two 9×13 pans.

9. Can I make it spicier?
   Yes, add red pepper flakes, spicy pepperoni, or hot sauce to the beef mixture.

10. Can I make it vegetarian?
    Use plant-based ground beef, extra veggies, and veggie cheese.

11. What pizza sauce should I use?
    Any store-bought pizza sauce works, or you can make your own with crushed tomatoes, olive oil, and Italian herbs.

12. Do I need to toast the buns first?
    No, baking will crisp them up nicely.

13. Can I use leftover sloppy joe mix?
    Yes, sloppy joe mix works great as a shortcut filling.

14. How do I prevent soggy buns?
    Drain beef mixture well and use a slightly thicker pizza sauce.

15. Can I use shredded rotisserie chicken?
    Yes! Toss chicken with pizza sauce and layer with cheese for a quick version.

16. Can I make this dairy-free?
    Yes, use dairy-free cheese and butter.

17. What side dishes go well?
    Salad, fries, garlic bread, or roasted veggies.

18. Can I reheat leftovers?
    Yes, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave individual portions.

19. Can kids help make this recipe?
    Yes, kids can layer the buns, spread sauce, and sprinkle cheese.

20. How long does it last in the fridge?
    Stored in an airtight container, it lasts 3-4 days.

20 Tips for Perfect Results

1. Drain the beef thoroughly to prevent soggy buns.

2. Use a thicker pizza sauce for a sturdier bake.

3. Toast buns lightly beforehand for extra crispness.

4. Mix cheeses for the best flavor and texture.

5. Add a little Worcestershire sauce to the beef for depth.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning before layering.

7. Don’t skimp on cheese — it holds everything together.

8. Cover with foil while baking to prevent the buns from burning.

9. For crispy tops, broil for the last 2 minutes.

10. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for mild heat.

11. Use fresh garlic for stronger flavor.

12. If using lean meat, add 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent dryness.

13. Layer a little cheese under the beef mixture to help prevent sogginess.

14. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley after baking for freshness.

15. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

16. Make mini versions using slider buns for parties.

17. Store leftovers in foil — it helps keep them moist when reheating.

18. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice evenly.

19. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving for extra richness.

20. Let it rest 5 minutes before cutting to keep layers intact.