Description
This Pizza Smashburger recipe combines the best of two beloved American classics: juicy smashed beef patties topped with melted mozzarella, crispy pepperoni, and rich pizza sauce, all layered inside buttery, garlic-infused buns. Enhanced with flavorful garlic aioli and garlic parmesan butter, these burgers deliver a unique twist perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Beef:
- 2 lbs Ground Beef 80/20
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
Garlic Aioli:
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Lemon Juice
- Salt & Pepper to taste
Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- 1.5 cup Unsalted Butter, melted
- 2 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 tbsp Grated Parmesan
- 1.5 tbsp Chopped Parsley
- 1 tbsp Red Chili Flakes
Burger:
- 8-10 slices Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 cup Pizza Sauce
- 1 cup Sliced Pepperoni
- Burger Buns
Instructions
- Prepare garlic mixes: In two separate bowls, combine ingredients for the garlic aioli (mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper) and the garlic parmesan butter (melted butter, minced garlic, grated parmesan, chopped parsley, red chili flakes). Mix well and set aside.
- Preheat grill: Heat your grill to high heat, approximately 400°F, ensuring it is ready for direct cooking.
- Form beef balls: Divide the ground beef into 6-8 portions, roughly 1/4 pound each, gently rolling them into balls without compacting. Refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Sear and smash patties: Place a cast iron skillet or plancha on the grill over direct heat and preheat until slightly smoking. Place one beef ball in the skillet, cover with a piece of parchment paper, and press firmly with a spatula to smash into a thin patty.
- Season and cook patties: Sprinkle the patty with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then carefully flip, season the other side similarly, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Add cheese: Place a slice of mozzarella cheese on each patty. Allow it to melt for 1-2 minutes, then remove the patties from the skillet and let them rest.
- Crisp pepperoni: Add the sliced pepperoni to the skillet and cook for 5-10 minutes until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Butter and assemble buns: Dip the inside of each burger bun into the garlic parmesan butter. Assemble the burgers by layering, starting with the bun upside down, followed by garlic aioli, one or two burger patties, pizza sauce, crispy pepperoni, and additional garlic aioli on top.
- Toast buns: Place the assembled burgers back onto the skillet to toast the buns until golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from the skillet and serve immediately for a delicious, savory meal.
Notes
- For juicier patties, avoid over-handling the ground beef when forming into balls.
- If you don’t have a grill, a cast iron skillet on the stovetop preheated on high works well for smashing the patties.
- To customize spice levels, adjust red chili flakes in the garlic parmesan butter accordingly.
- Use fresh mozzarella slices for better melting and creaminess.
- Allow patties to rest briefly after cooking to retain juices.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American, Italian
