Pizza Burgers on English Muffins Recipe
Pizza Burgers combine the best of two favorites: juicy seasoned ground meat topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, all served on toasted garlic-buttered English muffin halves. Quick to prepare and perfect for a family meal, these pizza-inspired burgers can be baked or air fried for a crispy, cheesy finish and are freezer-friendly for easy future meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (6-8 pizza burgers)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 lb. ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (reduce if using Italian sausage)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce (I use Rao’s)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pepperoncini (optional)
Assembly
- 6-8 English muffin halves
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1 clove garlic, grated (or a few shakes of garlic powder)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned and cooked through. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and kosher salt. Stir in the marinara sauce and combine well. Remove from heat and fold in the 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (and chopped pepperoncini, if using) until the cheese is melted and mixture is well blended.
- Prepare the English Muffins: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, mix the melted salted butter with the grated garlic or garlic powder. Place the English muffin halves face-up on a baking sheet and generously brush each with the garlic butter mixture.
- Arrange the Pizza Burgers: Spoon a few spoonfuls of the meat mixture evenly over each English muffin half. Top each with the remaining 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, followed by a pinch of finely grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake or air fry: For immediate serving, place the prepared pizza burgers on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to get the cheese bubbly and browned. Alternatively, air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes to achieve a golden brown and slightly crisp texture.
- Freeze for later: To freeze, place individual assembled pizza burgers on a plate or small baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, air fry from frozen at 350°F for 6-8 minutes to warm through and restore crispiness.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage depending on your preference; adjust salt accordingly if using sausage.
- Chopped pepperoncini adds a nice tangy kick but is optional.
- Use freshly grated garlic for best flavor, or garlic powder if preferred.
- For crispier tops, broil briefly after baking if using the oven method.
- These pizza burgers freeze well, making them perfect for meal prep.
