Cheese Burger Pizza Recipe – Easy Homemade Dinner Idea Today
Ingredients
For the Pizza
- 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough – homemade dough also works.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – divided as needed for the pan and crust.
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef – 85/15 or 90/10 works well.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese.
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- 1/3 cup finely diced yellow onion.
- 1/3 cup chopped dill pickles.
For the Burger Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise.
- 2 tablespoons ketchup.
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard.
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill pickles or sweet pickle relish.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup diced fresh tomato, added after baking.
- 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, added after baking.
- 2 tablespoons cooked crumbled bacon.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for the outer crust.
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion.
- 1 tablespoon extra yellow mustard for drizzling.
- 1/4 cup additional chopped pickles for extra tang.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground beef: Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter variation.
- Pizza dough: Use a prepared pizza crust for a faster dinner.
- Cheddar cheese: Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or American-style cheese can work.
- Mozzarella: Use another mild melting cheese, but low-moisture mozzarella gives the best pizza texture.
- Mayonnaise: Plain Greek yogurt can replace some or all of the mayonnaise, though the sauce will taste tangier.
- Yellow onion: Red onion or sweet onion can be substituted.
- Worcestershire sauce: Use 1 teaspoon soy sauce if needed, but note that the flavor and sodium level will change.
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet.
- Wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula.
- Measuring cups.
- Measuring spoons.
- Small mixing bowl.
- Spoon or small whisk.
- Cutting board.
- Sharp kitchen knife.
- 14-inch pizza pan, large baking sheet, or pizza stone.
- Rolling pin, optional.
- Pastry brush, optional.
- Oven mitts.
- Pizza cutter or large sharp knife.
- Paper towels, if needed for draining excess beef grease.
- Wire cooling rack, optional.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 475°F. Place a rack in the lower-middle section of the oven.
If using a pizza stone, place it in the cold oven before preheating and allow it to heat thoroughly. A properly heated baking surface helps the bottom crust turn crisp and golden.
The oven should be fully preheated before the pizza goes inside.
Do not put the pizza into a partially heated oven. This is a common reason homemade pizza crust turns pale or soft.
2. Bring the Pizza Dough Closer to Room Temperature
Remove refrigerated pizza dough from the refrigerator and let it rest on the counter for about 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the toppings.
Cold dough often springs back when stretched. Slightly warmer dough is easier to shape.
The dough should feel flexible and stretch without immediately shrinking back.
Do not force or tear cold dough. If it keeps snapping back, cover it and let it rest for another 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Season with.
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no pink remains and the beef reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce during the final 30 seconds of cooking.
The beef should be evenly browned with small, loose crumbles and no visible pink areas.
Drain excess grease carefully.
Keep the beef crumbles fairly small so every slice gets an even amount of topping.
Never place raw ground beef directly on the pizza. It may release too much moisture and grease, and it may not cook evenly.
4. Make the Burger Sauce
In a small bowl, combine.
1/4 cup mayonnaise.
2 tablespoons ketchup.
1 tablespoon yellow mustard.
1 tablespoon chopped pickles or relish.
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
Stir until smooth and evenly combined.
The sauce should look creamy, pale orange, and mostly smooth with tiny pieces of pickle.
Taste and adjust if needed. For more tang, add a small amount of mustard. For extra sweetness, add a little more ketchup.
Do not make the sauce layer too thick. Excess sauce can create a soggy center.
5. Shape the Pizza Dough
Lightly grease a 14-inch pizza pan or large baking sheet with part of the olive oil.
Place the dough on the prepared surface and gently stretch it into a 12- to 14-inch round or oval. Press from the center outward, leaving a slightly thicker border around the edge.
If using a rolling pin, roll gently so you do not completely flatten the air from the dough.
The center should be relatively thin and even, while the outer edge should be slightly thicker.
If the dough keeps shrinking, stop and let it rest for 5 minutes before stretching again.
6. Assemble the Cheese Burger Pizza
Spread about 1/3 cup of the prepared burger sauce over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Reserve any extra sauce for serving.
Add toppings in this order.
Half of the mozzarella and cheddar.
Cooked ground beef.
Diced yellow onion.
Chopped dill pickles.
Remaining mozzarella and cheddar.
Brush the exposed crust lightly with the remaining olive oil. Sprinkle sesame seeds around the edge if using.
The toppings should be spread evenly without forming thick piles.
Do not overload the pizza. Too many toppings trap moisture and make the center difficult to bake properly.
7. Bake the Pizza
Bake at 475°F for 12 to 16 minutes, depending on your oven, crust thickness, and baking pan.
Rotate the pizza once around the halfway point if your oven browns unevenly.
Visual cues that the pizza is done.
The outer crust is golden brown.
The cheese is completely melted.
Small browned bubbles appear on top.
The bottom crust feels firm rather than soft.
The center no longer looks wet.
Check the pizza after 10 minutes because oven temperatures can vary.
Do not rely only on melted cheese. The crust underneath also needs enough time to cook.
8. Rest and Add Fresh Toppings
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing.
For a classic cheeseburger-style finish, add optional shredded iceberg lettuce and diced tomato after baking. Drizzle with extra burger sauce or yellow mustard if desired.
The cheese should settle slightly, making the pizza easier to cut into clean slices.
Slice and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Cost To Make This Recipe
Item – Estimated Cost (USD).
Pizza dough – $2.00.
Lean ground beef – $3.00.
Mozzarella cheese – $1.75.
Cheddar cheese – $1.75.
Mayonnaise – $0.40.
Ketchup – $0.15.
Yellow mustard – $0.08.
Dill pickles or relish – $0.50.
Yellow onion – $0.30.
Worcestershire sauce – $0.10.
Olive oil – $0.15.
Seasonings – $0.20.
Estimated Total Recipe Cost
Approximately $10.38 USD.
Estimated Cost Per Serving
Approximately $1.73 USD per serving.
