Looking for a comfort food recipe that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for feeding a crowd? Look no further! The Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake is an irresistible fusion of pizza and a hearty burger, topped with gooey melted cheese and all your favorite pizza toppings. If you love both pizza and burgers, this dish is the perfect solution to satisfy both cravings in one bite. This recipe takes all the best elements of a classic pizza—savory beef, tangy pizza sauce, and melty cheese—and gives it a fun twist by layering it with biscuit dough, creating a hearty, delicious casserole that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake
Cheesy and Gooey
If you love cheese, this dish is your dream come true! With both mozzarella and cheddar cheese melted to perfection, this bake delivers the ultimate cheese pull that will have you drooling before you even take the first bite.
Easy and Quick to Prepare
This recipe is perfect for busy nights when you want to get something hearty on the table quickly. With just 15 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of baking, you’ll be enjoying a delicious homemade meal in no time.
Customizable Toppings
The beauty of this recipe lies in how customizable it is. You can swap out toppings based on your preferences or what you have in the fridge. Add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or even fresh basil for a pop of color and flavor, or pile on extra pepperoni or sausage for that classic pizza touch.
Family-Friendly Comfort Food
Whether you’re cooking for kids or adults, this pizza burger bake is bound to be a hit. It’s the perfect dish to bring to a potluck, game night, or family gathering, and it’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this cheesy pizza burger bake, you’ll need just a few key ingredients that you probably already have on hand. These include:
- 1 lb ground beef: The star of the dish. Ground beef gives this pizza bake the burger flavor we all love, making it hearty and filling.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: For that authentic pizza flavor, Italian seasoning will bring a rich, herby profile to the beef mixture.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Garlic and pizza go hand in hand, so don’t skip this key ingredient for flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder: Onion powder enhances the savory depth of the dish, complementing the garlic and beef beautifully.
- Salt and pepper to taste: For seasoning and balancing all the flavors in the dish.
- 1 cup pizza sauce: This will bring the tangy, tomato-based sauce that makes pizza so irresistible to the dish.
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese: This is the melt-in-your-mouth cheese that pizza lovers crave.
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese: Adding cheddar gives the dish a sharp, bold flavor that pairs perfectly with mozzarella.
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni: A classic pizza topping that adds richness and a touch of spiciness.
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional): Black olives add a slight briny taste, giving the dish a Mediterranean twist.
- 1/4 cup diced green bell peppers (optional): For some crunch and a fresh, sweet contrast to the rich beef and cheese.
- 1/4 cup diced onions (optional): Adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor that works wonders in pizza-style dishes.
- 1 tube refrigerated biscuit dough: This is the base for the bake, offering a biscuit-like crust that’s easy to prepare and cooks up perfectly golden.
How to Make Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
The first thing you’ll want to do is preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure that your cheesy pizza burger bake doesn’t stick during baking. Set the dish aside for now.
Step 2: Cook the Ground Beef
Next, grab a large skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it until it’s browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the beef, mixing it well so the spices are evenly distributed. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Once the beef is cooked through and browned, drain any excess grease from the pan.
Step 3: Add the Pizza Sauce
Now, it’s time to add the pizza sauce. Stir it into the cooked beef, making sure it coats the meat evenly. Let the mixture cook for an additional 2-3 minutes so the sauce is fully heated through and the beef absorbs the flavors. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
Step 4: Prepare the Biscuit Base
While the beef is cooking, take the refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit into quarters. This will help the dough bake evenly in the casserole. Layer the dough pieces in the prepared baking dish, making sure to cover the entire bottom.
Step 5: Layer the Bake
Start layering your casserole. First, spread the beef and sauce mixture evenly over the biscuit dough. Then, sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top. Now comes the fun part—add your toppings! You can customize it with pepperoni, black olives, green bell peppers, and diced onions. Once your toppings are in place, top everything off with the remaining shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
Step 6: Bake the Dish
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The dish should have a beautiful golden crust with gooey cheese stretching from every bite.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once it’s done baking, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will help everything set and make it easier to cut into squares. Serve it hot, and enjoy the savory, cheesy goodness of this Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake!
Tips and Variations
- Meat Variations: If you want to switch things up, you can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version of this dish. You can also use Italian sausage for a spicier option.
- Vegetarian Options: To make this dish vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the meat and add more vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach. You could also add a vegetarian sausage substitute.
- Crust Options: If you’re not a fan of biscuit dough, you can use pizza dough or even a premade crust to create a traditional pizza crust base for this dish.
- Add Extra Cheese: Feel free to add more cheese on top for extra gooey goodness! Parmesan cheese, provolone, or even a sprinkle of garlic powder can all elevate the flavor.
- Make It Spicy: For some added heat, try adding red pepper flakes to the sauce or top the bake with jalapeño slices.
Serving Suggestions
The Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake is a hearty meal on its own, but you can always serve it with a few sides to complete the meal. Here are some ideas:
- Garlic bread: Because pizza and garlic bread are a match made in heaven!
- Salad: A fresh green salad with Italian dressing is a great balance to the rich flavors of the bake.
- Roasted vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts will add a healthy crunch to the meal.
- Crinkle-cut fries: If you’re in the mood for something more indulgent, crispy fries are the perfect sidekick.
FAQs: Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake
1. Can I substitute ground beef with another protein?
Yes, you can swap the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage for a different flavor.
2. Can I prepare the bake in advance?
You can assemble the dish ahead of time, refrigerate it, and bake it the next day. Just allow it to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking.
3. What are some good side dishes to serve with this bake?
A simple green salad or roasted vegetables would pair wonderfully with this cheesy pizza burger bake.
4. Can I use different types of cheese?
Yes, you can experiment with other cheeses like provolone, gouda, or pepper jack for a twist on the classic mozzarella and cheddar combo.
Conclusion
This Ultimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake is an unbeatable combination of pizza and burger flavors that’s sure to please everyone at your table. It’s an easy-to-make, customizable recipe that’s perfect for family dinners, game nights, or potlucks. With its layers of flavorful beef, gooey melted cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will become a regular in your meal rotation. So next time you’re craving pizza or a burger, try this deliciously cheesy twist—you won’t be disappointed!
If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to share your creation on social media! And for more delicious ideas, check out these other recipes you’re sure to enjoy:
- Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
- Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies – Irresistibly Gooey
- Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls – Ultimate Party Snack Recipe
Happy cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite!
PrintUltimate Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A mouthwatering combination of pizza and burger flavors, this cheesy pizza burger bake is the ultimate comfort food. Layered with seasoned ground beef, pizza sauce, gooey mozzarella, cheddar cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings, it’s topped off with buttery biscuit dough. Whether you’re looking for a hearty weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dinner, this bake is the perfect choice.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced green bell peppers (optional)
- 1/4 cup diced onions (optional)
- 1 tube refrigerated biscuit dough
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Pizza Sauce: Stir in the pizza sauce with the cooked ground beef. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring the beef is coated with sauce. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Biscuit Base: Cut the refrigerated biscuit dough into quarters. Layer the dough pieces evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the Bake: Spread the beef and sauce mixture over the biscuit pieces. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the top. Add pepperoni slices, black olives, green bell peppers, and onions as desired. Top with the remaining cheeses.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the Cheesy Pizza Burger Bake to cool for a few minutes before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy your ultimate comfort meal!
Notes
- You can easily adjust the recipe to suit your tastes. Add more or less cheese, or switch up the toppings like mushrooms, sausage, or bacon.
- If you prefer a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- To make this dish ahead of time, assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to a day. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (1/6th of the bake)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Pizza burger bake, cheesy pizza bake, biscuit bake, easy pizza casserole, comfort food, ground beef bake