Grilled Pizza Burgers with Mozzarella Pull (Cheesy Backyard Burger Ready in 30 Minutes)
Grilled Pizza Burgers with Mozzarella Pull combine juicy smoky grilled beef patties, rich pizza sauce, crispy pepperoni, buttery toasted buns, and melty mozzarella cheese into one unforgettable backyard comfort-food burger. This easy summer grilling recipe delivers dramatic stretchy cheese pulls, pizza-inspired flavor, and restaurant-style burger richness in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for family cookouts, game day dinners, and casual entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds 900g ground beef, preferably 80/20 blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 4 brioche burger buns
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Optional toppings:
- Red onion slices
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Roasted peppers
- Extra mozzarella
- Marinara drizzle
- Banana peppers
- Sliced olives
Instructions
- Prepare the Burger Patties: In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika until just combined. Form into four large burger patties without pressing the meat too firmly to keep the burgers juicy and tender.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Proper heat helps create smoky flavor, rich caramelization, and a juicy burger texture without burning the outside too quickly.
- Grill the Burgers: Place the patties on the hot grill and cook until nicely charred on both sides and juicy inside. Avoid pressing or flipping the burgers too often so they develop better crust and smoky grilled flavor.
- Add the Pizza Toppings: During the final few minutes of cooking, spoon pizza sauce over each burger and top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. Close the grill lid briefly to melt the cheese until bubbly and stretchy while the pepperoni becomes slightly crisp around the edges.
- Toast the Garlic Butter Buns: Brush the brioche buns with garlic butter and toast lightly on the grill until golden. Toasted buns add buttery flavor, slight crispness, and help keep the burgers from becoming soggy.
- Assemble and Serve: Place the cheesy pizza burgers onto the toasted buns and garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh basil, or parsley. Serve immediately while the mozzarella is still melty and stretchy and the burgers are hot and smoky fresh off the grill.