Experience the best of both worlds with Open-Faced Pizza Burgers—a creative fusion that combines the savory goodness of a burger with the irresistible flavors of pizza. This dish offers a fun twist on traditional burgers, allowing you to enjoy the essence of pizza in a handheld form. Let’s embark on creating this delightful and satisfying culinary mashup.
Ingredients:
For the Burger Patties:
- 1 pound ground beef (or a blend of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pizza Sauce:
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- Hamburger buns, sliced and toasted
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Sliced pepperoni
- Cherry tomatoes, sliced
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare Burger Patties:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the mixture into burger patties of your desired size.
- Cook Burger Patties:
- Cook the burger patties on a grill or stovetop over medium heat until they reach your preferred level of doneness.
- Prepare Pizza Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Assemble Open-Faced Pizza Burgers:
- Place the toasted hamburger buns on a serving platter.
- Spoon a generous amount of pizza sauce onto each bun half.
- Lay a cooked burger patty on top of the sauce on each bun.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the burger patties.
- Bake or Broil:
- Place the assembled open-faced burgers in the oven and bake or broil until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Top with Pepperoni and Tomatoes:
- Remove the burgers from the oven and add sliced pepperoni and cherry tomato slices on top of the melted cheese.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and flavor.
- Enjoy:
- Serve the Open-Faced Pizza Burgers immediately, offering a unique and delicious combination of burger and pizza goodness.
Optional Tips:
- Customize the toppings to your liking, such as adding sautéed mushrooms, black olives, or bell peppers.
- Experiment with different types of cheese, such as provolone or cheddar, for added variety.
Open-Faced Pizza Burgers are a playful and savory twist on the classic burger, bringing the beloved flavors of pizza to your dinner table. Whether served at a casual family gathering or as a creative weeknight dinner, these open-faced delights are sure to satisfy both burger and pizza cravings in a single bite. Enjoy the fusion of two classics with this inventive and delicious recipe. 🍔🍕✨