Mini Pizza Burgers

 Mini Pizza Burgers Recipe

Slider-sized burgers meet classic pizza flavor—melty, cheesy, and loaded with savory goodness.

 Ingredients

For the Meat Patties (Makes 12 sliders):

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Toppings & Assembly:

• 1 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 12 slider buns or dinner rolls
• 12 pepperoni slices (optional)

For the Garlic Butter Glaze:

• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

 Instructions

 Step 1: Make the Mini Patties

1. In a large bowl, combine:
   • Ground meat
   • Diced onion
   • Minced garlic
   • Italian seasoning
   • Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
   • Parmesan cheese
2. Mix well with clean hands or a spoon.
3. Form the mixture into 12 equal-sized small patties.

 Step 2: Cook the Patties

1. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
2. Cook each patty for 3–4 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temp: 160°F for beef, 165°F for turkey).
3. Set aside on a plate.

 Step 3: Assemble the Mini Pizza Burgers

1. Place the bottom halves of buns on a baking sheet.
2. Add a patty to each.
3. Top each patty with a spoonful of pizza sauce.
4. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
5. Add a slice of pepperoni (optional).
6. Place the top half of the bun on each burger.

 Step 4: Bake Until Gooey

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix:
   • Melted butter
   • Garlic powder
   • Dried oregano
3. Brush the tops of the buns with this garlic butter mixture.
4. Bake in the oven for 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and buns are golden brown.

 Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Let cool for 1–2 minutes, then serve warm with extra pizza sauce or a side salad. Great for game nights, movie marathons, or quick dinners.

Mini Pizza Burgers Q&A

Q: Can I use ground chicken instead of beef or turkey?
A: Absolutely! Just be sure to cook to 165°F internal temp. You may want to add an extra tablespoon of olive oil to keep chicken patties moist.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can:

• Prep and cook the patties ahead of time (store in the fridge for 2 days).
• Assemble and bake just before serving for fresh, melty cheese.

Q: Can I freeze them?
A: Totally! Assemble fully, skip the garlic butter topping, and freeze. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, then brush with garlic butter and bake for 5 more.

Q: What sides go well with these?
A: Try:

• Sweet potato fries
• Caesar salad
• Veggie sticks with ranch dip
• Garlic knots or marinara for dipping

Q: What other toppings can I add?
A: Get creative! Try:

• Sliced black olives
• Bell peppers
• Jalapeños
• Pineapple (yep, for Hawaiian vibes!)
• Q: Can I make this vegetarian?