Crockpot Pizza Burgers

pers, black olives, mushrooms, or any pizza toppings you like!

Instructions for Making Crockpot Pizza Burgers

Step 1: Brown the Beef

1. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. This will add the classic pizza flavor to your burger mixture. Once mixed well, remove the skillet from the heat.

Step 2: Transfer to the Crockpot

1. Place in Crockpot: Transfer the seasoned ground beef mixture to the Crockpot.
2. Add Pizza Sauce: Pour the pizza sauce over the beef and stir to combine. This gives the burgers their pizza-like flavor and moisture.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Mixture

1. Cook the Mixture: Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on low for 4 hours or on high for 2 hours. The long cooking time helps the flavors blend together and ensures the meat is tender and flavorful.

Step 4: Add the Cheese

1. Top with Mozzarella: About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the mixture. Cover the crockpot again and let the cheese melt into the mixture, making it gooey and irresistible.

Step 5: Assemble the Burgers

1. Toast the Buns (optional): While the cheese is melting, you can toast your burger buns for added texture. Simply place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Assemble the Burgers: Spoon the cheesy, pizza-flavored meat mixture onto the bottom half of the toasted burger buns. Add any optional pizza toppings like pepperoni, green peppers, or black olives for extra flavor. Place the top bun on and serve.

Tips for Perfect Crockpot Pizza Burgers

• Add More Toppings: These pizza burgers are highly customizable! Feel free to add extra pizza toppings like mushrooms, green olives, or jalapeños to make your burger even more flavorful.
• Use Slider Buns: If you’re serving a crowd or prefer smaller portions, use slider buns to create mini pizza burgers. They’re great for parties or gatherings.
• Make Ahead: You can easily prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just pop it in the crockpot to cook when you’re ready to serve.
• Swap the Meat: You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or veggie patties to suit dietary preferences or restrictions.
• Try Other Sauces: For a unique twist, try using a barbecue sauce or a pesto sauce instead of traditional pizza sauce. The possibilities are endless!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crockpot Pizza Burgers are the ultimate comfort food for anyone who loves pizza and burgers. The slow cooker does the work, infusing the ground beef with rich pizza sauce and Italian seasonings. The cheese melts beautifully over the top, giving you that gooey, cheesy experience you crave.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, too. You can customize the toppings to suit your preferences, whether you’re adding extra veggies or spicy pepperoni. It’s also a fantastic meal prep idea, as the ingredients can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd or provide meals throughout the week.

Conclusion

Crockpot Pizza Burgers are the ideal combination of convenience, flavor, and comfort. They bring together the best parts of pizza and burgers in a simple, fuss-free way. Perfect for busy days, family meals, or casual gatherings, these delicious pizza burgers are sure to become a regular addition to your meal rotation. So, grab your slow cooker and enjoy a cheesy, savory meal that everyone will love!