Description
This Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake combines the best elements of pizza and burgers into one delicious, hearty casserole. Featuring seasoned ground beef, savory pizza toppings, and melty mozzarella cheese all layered inside a soft pizza dough crust, this bake is perfect for a satisfying family meal or casual gathering. Easy to prepare and full of rich flavors, it’s a crowd-pleaser that brings cheesy, meaty goodness to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough and Base
- 1 package pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
For the Filling
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (optional)
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure a perfect baking temperature for the pizza burger bake.
- Prepare Pizza Dough: Roll out the pizza dough on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish to form the base layer of your bake.
- Season Ground Beef: In a bowl, season the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Cook Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the seasoned ground beef until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Layer Sauce and Dough: Spread half of the pizza sauce evenly over the bottom of the rolled-out dough, creating a flavorful base.
- Add the Filling: Evenly spread the cooked ground beef over the sauce, then sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add Toppings: Layer the crumbled bacon (if using), pepperoni slices, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, and pickles on top of the cheese for extra flavor and texture.
- Top with Sauce and Cheese: Spread the remaining pizza sauce over the toppings and add a generous second layer of mozzarella cheese to create a cheesy crust.
- Brush with Olive Oil: Brush the top of the dough with olive oil to help achieve a golden, crispy crust during baking.
- Bake the Dish: Place the assembled bake in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pizza burger bake rest for 5 minutes to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based beef for a different twist.
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or use spicy pepperoni.
- If you don’t have pickles, omit them or try substituting with sliced olives or jalapeños.
- Make sure to pre-cook the bacon before adding to the bake to ensure proper texture and flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
