Cafeteria Pizza Burgers are made with English muffins topped with a beefy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella for a dinner the whole family will love.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
If you’re looking for a quick, budget friendly dinner that’s guaranteed to disappear fast, these Cafeteria Pizza Burgers are it! They’re loaded with savory seasoned beef, your favorite jarred tomato sauce, and plenty of melty mozzarella cheese. They're all baked on hearty king size English muffins until perfectly golden.
We used to eat these and English Muffin Pizzas all the time growing up. They’re nostalgic, incredibly easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or even a fun family dinner. Using king size English muffins makes them extra filling and gives you plenty of room for that delicious pizza topping.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Uses simple pantry staples.
- Kid-approved and family-friendly.
- Great for busy weeknights.
- Easy to customize with your favorite pizza toppings.
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.
- King-Size English Muffins: The perfect sturdy base that holds plenty of toppings without getting soggy.
- Ground Beef: The hearty, flavorful filling that makes these extra satisfying.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning add lots of flavor to the beef.
- Jarred Tomato Sauce: A good-quality tomato or marinara sauce (like Rao’s) makes this recipe incredibly easy.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and gives you that classic pizza pull.
How to Make Them
Here's how to make these delicious Pizza Burgers. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease. Season the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the jarred tomato sauce and let everything simmer for a few minutes until heated through.
- Split the king size English muffins in half and place them cut side up on a baking sheet. Spoon the beef mixture evenly over each English muffin half. Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Toast the English muffins for a few minutes before adding the toppings if you like an extra crispy base.
- Don’t overload them with sauce or they’ll become soft.
- Freshly shredded mozzarella melts even better than pre-shredded.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Broil for the last minute if you like extra browned cheese.
Variations
- Add sliced pepperoni on top before baking.
- Mix cooked Italian sausage with the ground beef.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Add sautéed mushrooms, onions, or peppers.
- Use provolone or an Italian cheese blend instead of mozzarella.
- Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
What to Serve With Pizza Burgers
These Pizza Burgers pair perfectly with French fries, curly fries, potato chips, a simple salad, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a bowl of soup for a comforting meal.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze individually wrapped Pizza Burgers for up to 2 months.
To Reheat: Bake in a 350°F oven or air fryer until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the English muffins from becoming soft.
Other Easy Ground Beef Meals
So much can be done with a pack of ground beef! I've rounded up all my Best Ground Beef Recipes so you can find them all easily in one place.
Cafeteria Pizza Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 King Sized English Muffins
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1.5-2 Cups Jarred Tomato Sauce
- 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese, hand shredded
- Parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease. Season the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in the jarred tomato sauce and let everything simmer for a few minutes until heated through.
- Split the king size English muffins in half and place them cut side up on a baking sheet. Spoon the beef mixture evenly over each English muffin half.
- Top generously with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!
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