Easy Grilled Pizza Burger (Ready in under 30 minutes)

This post was created in partnership with Primal Kitchen.

Don’t let a busy weeknight get in the way of a home-cooked meal! You can get these grilled pizza burgers on the table in less than 30 minutes. Made with lean ground beef, melty mozzarella cheese and the most flavorful pizza sauce, they’re sure to please.

Pizza or Burgers? Now you don’t have to decide!

We’ve taken two of our favorite dishes and combined them into one with these easy Grilled Pizza Burgers. You’ll love the fact that they’re made with fewer than 10 ingredients and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Sounds too good to be true? Hold on, it gets even better.

We’ve taken a delicious short cut by using Primal Kitchen Unsweetened Pizza Sauce. It’s quite possibly the tastiest pizza sauce we’ve ever had and doesn’t contain a lick of added sugar. Made with organic tomato puree and avocado oil, it’s the perfect savory red sauce for your next pizza party or this grilled pizza burger recipe.

Ingredients to Make A Grilled Pizza Burger

• Lean ground beef – We recommend using 90-93% lean ground beef and not overcooking to keep your burgers juicy and full of flavor
• Dried Italian seasoning – a flavorful mixture of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Fennel seeds – Crush lightly using a mortar and pestle or place the seeds on a cutting board and place the flat side of chef’s knife over the seeds, using the palm of your hand to crush the seeds slightly
• Fine salt and black pepper
• Pizza Sauce – Our go-to and most recommended brand is Primal Kitchen. Their unsweetened pizza sauce made with avocado oil has no added sugar and tastes amazing!
• Mozzarella cheese – Thick slices of fresh mozzarella work best but shreds will do if that’s what you have on hand
• Hamburger buns or large dinner rolls – Toast them on the grill, if desired. Use gluten-free buns, if needed.
• Fresh basil leaves – It wouldn’t be a pizza burger recipe without bright, fragrant leaves of basil to give these grill burgers a tasty Italian twist
• Optional toppings – Green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced red onions, and/or fresh tomato slices. Adding a pepperoni slice or two isn’t a bad idea either!

How to Make Grilled Pizza Burgers

The hardest part is waiting for them to be done! No grill? No problem. We’ve included stovetop directions in the recipe below.

1. Preheat grill to high heat (450-475℉) if using indirect heat such as a Traeger grill or medium-high heat (400℉) if using direct heat such as gas grill or charcoal grill.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Mix well with clean hands to distribute spices without over mixing. 
3. Divide the meat mixture into 4 portions and flatten into patties ¼-inch thick. Using your index finger, press a small indentation into the center of each patty.
4. Place patties on the grill grate and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook for an additional 3 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 155℉. 
5. Top each patty with a slice of mozzarella cheese and cook an additional 1-2 minutes with the grill lid closed or until the cheese is melted. Remove the patties from the grill and allow them to rest for 2 minutes.
6. While the burgers are on the grill, place a small saucepan over low heat and heat the pizza sauce (or heat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or until hot).
7. Top each bun bottom with a patty, 1 ½ tablespoons pizza sauce, and a few fresh basil leaves. Top with bun top and serve immediately.

Grilled Pizza Burger: FAQs

How do you cook pizza burgers on the grill?

These pizza burgers start like any other burger. Simply patty the spiced ground beef mixture into ¼-inch thick patties and use your thumb to dimple the center. Place directly on the grate of a preheated grill and cook until according to the recipe, adding the cheese and sauce as directed.

What is a pizza burger patty?

These are a flavorful throwback to the pizza burger patties you may have enjoyed growing up. But instead of coming from the school cafeteria, they’re made at home using fresh, wholesome ingredients like lean ground beef, mozzarella cheese, unsweetened pizza sauce, and fresh basil.

Can pizza burgers be prepped ahead?

Because burgers are best served hot from the grill, we don’t recommend cooking them ahead of time for reheating later (though if you have to, it’s not a deal breaker!). You can, however, prep to the point of cooking by following these simple steps:

• Combine the spices and ground beef and shape meat into patties (store patties with parchment paper between each one in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days)
• Wash and dry the lettuce and slice the mozzarella cheese. Store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

What is the best way to reheat a pizza burger?

In the event that you have leftovers, you’ll want to store the grilled patties separate from the bun, sauce and optional toppings. When it’s time to reheat, we suggest these options:

• Microwave: Place burger patty on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 30-60 seconds or until almost heated through. Add a dollop of pizza sauce and heat for an additional 20-30 seconds.
• Stovetop: Place a small skillet over medium heat. Place burger patty in the skillet with a tablespoon of water. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes or until almost heated through. Remove the lid, add a dollop of pizza sauce and heat for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the burger is hot.
• Toaster Oven or Air-fryer: Preheat toaster oven or air fryer to 350℉. Place burger patty on baking tray or the air fryer rack. Add a dollop of pizza sauce and cook until the burger is heated through. Depending on the method you choose, this will take 5-8 minutes.

Can I make Pizza Burgers if I don’t have a grill?

If you don’t have a grill you can make the burgers on the stovetop. Place a large, heavy skillet (cast iron works great) over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the burgers to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes before adding a slice of mozzarella cheese to each burger. Place a lid on the skillet to allow the cheese to melt. Remove the burgers from the skillet when they are cooked through and the cheese is melted.

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.