Mozzarella-Stuffed Pizza Burger With Pepperoni Crisps

Name: Mozzarella-Stuffed Pizza Burger With Marinara and Pepperoni Crisps
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 stuffed pizza burgers
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef, cold; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 4 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 equal 1-ounce cubes or thick rectangular slices; 1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking; 24 thin pepperoni slices, about 2 ounces; 4 Italian-style burger buns, ciabatta rolls, or sturdy seeded sandwich rolls, split; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced; 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese, taken from the total Parmesan if desired; 3/4 cup marinara sauce, warmed; 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to taste; 12 fresh basil leaves; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Imperial May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 stuffed pizza burgers
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Quick Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, cut into 4 cubes or thick slices
24 thin pepperoni slices
3/4 cup marinara sauce
4 Italian-style burger buns or ciabatta rolls, split
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
12 fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil, for the skillet

Do This

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Bake pepperoni on a parchment-lined sheet for 6 to 8 minutes until crisp; drain on paper towels.
2. Mix melted butter with garlic and a pinch of salt; brush onto cut sides of buns.
3. Season beef with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Divide into 8 thin patties.
4. Place mozzarella in the center of 4 patties, top with remaining patties, and seal edges tightly.
5. Sear burgers in an oiled skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes per side, then cook over medium until the centers reach 160°F, about 3 to 5 minutes more.
6. Toast garlic-buttered buns cut side down for 1 to 2 minutes. Warm marinara sauce.
7. Assemble with marinara, stuffed burger, more marinara, pepperoni crisps, Parmesan, and basil. Serve hot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It tastes like pizza night and burger night in one bite. Juicy beef, melted mozzarella, marinara, pepperoni, Parmesan, basil, and garlic butter all show up in the best way.
The cheese-stuffed center feels special but is easy to make. You simply sandwich mozzarella between two thin patties and seal the edges.
Pepperoni crisps add big flavor and crunch. A few minutes in the oven turns pepperoni into salty, savory little chips.
It is perfect for a fun dinner. Serve with a green salad, roasted vegetables, fries, or kettle chips for a satisfying meal.

Grocery List

Produce: Fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves
Dairy: Low-moisture mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, unsalted butter
Meat & Deli: 80/20 ground beef, thin-sliced pepperoni
Bakery: Italian-style burger buns, ciabatta rolls, or sturdy seeded sandwich rolls
Pantry: Marinara sauce, olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, optional crushed red pepper flakes

Full Ingredients

For the Mozzarella-Stuffed Burgers

1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef, cold
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 equal 1-ounce cubes or thick rectangular slices
1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking

For the Pepperoni Crisps

24 thin pepperoni slices, about 2 ounces

For the Garlic Butter Buns

4 Italian-style burger buns, ciabatta rolls, or sturdy seeded sandwich rolls, split
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan cheese, taken from the total Parmesan if desired

For Layering and Serving

3/4 cup marinara sauce, warmed
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to taste
12 fresh basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Mozzarella-Stuffed Pizza Burger With Pepperoni Crisps – Closeup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Crisp the pepperoni

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until the slices darken slightly, curl at the edges, and look crisp. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. They will continue to firm up as they cool.

Step 2: Make the garlic butter

In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, minced or grated garlic, and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. If you like an extra savory bun, stir in 1 tablespoon finely grated Parmesan. Set the garlic butter aside while you form the burgers.

Step 3: Season the beef gently

Place the cold ground beef in a large bowl. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Using clean hands or a fork, mix just until the seasonings are distributed. Try not to overwork the meat, which can make the burgers dense instead of juicy.

Step 4: Form and stuff the patties

Divide the seasoned beef into 8 equal portions, about 3 ounces each. Flatten each portion into a thin patty about 4 1/2 inches wide. Place 1 ounce mozzarella in the center of 4 patties, keeping the cheese at least 3/4 inch away from the edges. Top with the remaining 4 patties. Press the edges together firmly, then pinch and smooth the seam all the way around so the cheese is fully enclosed. Gently press each stuffed burger into an even shape about 1 inch thick.

Step 5: Cook the stuffed burgers

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the stuffed patties and cook for 4 minutes on the first side without pressing down. Flip carefully and cook for 4 minutes on the second side. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, flipping once if needed, until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F in the beef. If a little cheese leaks out, do not worry; those browned cheesy edges are delicious.

Step 6: Warm the marinara and toast the buns

While the burgers finish cooking, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until hot. Brush the cut sides of the buns generously with garlic butter. Toast the buns cut side down in a clean skillet over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. You can also toast them on a baking sheet in the 400°F oven for 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 7: Rest the burgers briefly

Transfer the cooked burgers to a plate and let them rest for 3 minutes. This short rest helps the juices settle and gives the mozzarella a moment to become perfectly melty rather than runny. Keep the burgers warm, but avoid covering them tightly because trapped steam can soften the seared crust.

Step 8: Assemble the pizza burgers

Spread about 1 tablespoon warm marinara on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add a mozzarella-stuffed burger patty. Spoon another 2 tablespoons marinara over each burger, then layer on 6 pepperoni crisps, a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, and 3 fresh basil leaves. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if you like gentle heat. Close with the top buns and serve immediately while the burgers are hot and the mozzarella is melted.

Pro Tips

Use low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella contains more water and can make the burger center too loose or cause more leaking.
Keep the beef cold. Cold beef is easier to shape and seal, and it holds together better in the skillet.
Seal the patties wider than you think. Press and smooth the edges carefully so the cheese stays tucked inside during cooking.
Do not press the burgers while cooking. Pressing forces out juices and can push the cheese through the seam.
Choose sturdy buns. Italian-style rolls, ciabatta buns, or seeded bakery buns hold up well to marinara and juicy patties.

Variations

Spicy Pizza Burger: Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture and use spicy pepperoni or Calabrese salami crisps.
Meat Lover’s Pizza Burger: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped cooked Italian sausage to the beef mixture and top the assembled burgers with extra pepperoni crisps.
Margherita-Style Burger: Skip the pepperoni and layer the burger with extra basil, marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Storage & Make-Ahead

These burgers are best served right after cooking, when the buns are crisp and the mozzarella center is melted. Store leftover cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store buns, marinara, basil, and pepperoni crisps separately so the textures stay fresh. Reheat patties in a covered skillet over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping once, until warmed through to 165°F. You may also reheat them in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. To make ahead, form and stuff the patties up to 24 hours in advance, place them on a parchment-lined plate or tray, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Pepperoni crisps can be made up to 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition (per serving)