Easy Italian Pepperoni Pizza Burgers

Monday night football at my house is usually some sort of finger food... pizza, burgers, french fries, chili, or bagel wrapped hot dogs, chips, salsa... the list is long and delicious. But here it is Monday afternoon comes and I am starving - its been a hectic/stressful/unbelievably hard the last few days - so football food comes out early. It is gooood! 

Trying something new today was so worth the effort. One of my favorite creations has been born (ta ta ta dahhhhh) the great, the amazing, Italian Pepperoni Pizza Burger. Consider these wonderful ingredients.... spicy pepperoni, meaty lean ground beef, salty & flavorful Genoa salami, creamy and easy melting mozzarella cheese, homemade veggie laden pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and last but not least salty good quality Parmesan cheese.  It has all my favorites that usually are in and on pepperoni pizza served up on a toasted whole wheat bun. I really should've been Italian.... 

Success! I will be definitely be making them again (hopefully for game time and not before). Next time I am thinking I should make a Canadian bacon pizza burger or a chicken supreme pizza burger.... the ideas are endless! 

Easy Italian Pepperoni Pizza Burgers

makes 3 burgers

Prep + cook time = approx 22 minutes

my inspiration comes from here, the pioneer woman's pizza burgers + my attempt to make them a tiny bit healthier

Ingredients: 

1 lb. lean ground beef

Pepperoni slices approx 4-6 per burger = 12-18 slices

1 oz Genoa salami (approx 7 deli slices), diced

 1 oz  shredded good Parmesan cheese

1 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (one small handful each burger)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp powdered garlic 

3 whole wheat buns

Pizza sauce homemade or store bought 

(click here for my recipe)

1/2 oz/ 1/4 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped 

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine the beef, all the spices, the salami, spinach, and parmesan cheese. 

2. Form three patties 

3. Grill the patties (8-10 minutes each side) over medium heat. Do not over flip them... they will fall apart. Flip once and wait. 

4. Top each patty with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese in the last few minutes of cooking

5.Toast the buns & enjoy 

Easy sides: Chips & Salsa, Fruit, Green Salad, or Potato Salad, Mozzarella cheese sticks, or celery & carrot sticks

From my kitchen to yours