Pizzawiches

I absolutely love these nostalgic pizzawiches, or pizza burgers! They make a quick and delightful meal that has become a cherished family favorite over the years. With just a few simple pantry staples, you can enjoy this delicious meal together.

We love easy meals, and another great classic is my Homemade Hamburger Helper! It has the classic taste but with much better ingredients. I also have a Tuna Alfredo recipe similar to the boxed helper, and another favorite is Taco Pasta. All are quick, easy to make, and also use pantry staples!

Before You Get Started

A few quick notes that help this recipe turn out perfectly every time:

GROUND BEEF: Use lean ground beef for this recipe, or if using a fattier beef, drain excess grease before adding the pasta sauce.

TOAST THE BREAD: I grew up eating this on hamburger buns, and sometimes the buns were toasted while other times they weren’t. If you’re concerned about soggy bread, I recommend toasting the buns before adding the beef mixture on top. For a sturdier sandwich, you can also use toasted English muffins. Just brush the halves with some melted butter (maybe throw in some minced garlic and herbs for more flavor), then place on the baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes.

SAUCE: Simmer uncovered for a thicker mixture, or use the beef mixture right away if you like a “sloppier” consistency.

How To Make Pizzawiches

STEP 1: Beef Filling

Brown the ground beef and onion in a large skillet. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the pasta sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, or until it reaches your desired thickness.

⇢ KITCHEN TIP: Let it get a little color before draining; that browning adds great flavor. Drain off the extra grease after the beef is no longer pink. This keeps the sauce from tasting greasy.

STEP 2: Topping The Bread

Combine the mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese in a small bowl and set aside. Top each hamburger bun with some of the meat mixture and place on a baking sheet. Top each with some of the cheese mixture, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Lemon Parmesan Broccoli
• Easy Fruit Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Bruschetta Pasta Salad
• Lemon Blueberry Fluff
• Salad with Caesar Dressing or Homemade Ranch Dressing

Storage

FREEZER-FRIENDLY: After topping the bread with the meat mixture and cheeses, place on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Remove from the baking sheet and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

STORAGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

REHEAT: To reheat, place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes or until heated through. You can also air-fry at 350 degrees F for 5 minutes.

Substitutions

MEAT: Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef. Omit the Italian seasoning. You can also use ground pork, chicken, or turkey. Add more spices to suit your taste.

PASTA SAUCE: Use your favorite jarred pasta sauce, or replace it with 1 can of tomato soup (which is how my grandma made it!).

BREAD: Use any type of hamburger bun, or English muffins for a sturdier sandwich; your favorite gluten-free buns work too!

VEGGIES: Feel free to add in veggies when browning the ground beef.

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