Every now and then, nostalgia sneaks up on me in the most unexpected places. Take, for instance, my kids' school lunch menu. Sometimes, I'll be looking at what they'll be eating that week and it triggers a school cafeteria memory.Those lunches that once felt so ordinary have now become comfort food gold. And that's exactly what I thought when I saw content creator Stephanie Gigliotti’s take on cafeteria-style pizza burgers, which immediately transported me back to grade school.They’re simple, hearty and packed with that nostalgic flavor that somehow feels both retro and yet totally timeless. Best of all, this recipe is as easy as it gets, which makes it perfect for my busy weeknights when I want something quick, family-friendly and just a bit fun.I was curious to see if my kids, who don't have a deep history with pizza burgers, would enjoy this throwback recipe as much as I would. To find out, I chatted with Gigliotti to get the scoop on the recipe and then whipped up a batch in my kitchen.Related:The Simply Genius Frozen Pizza Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner?? SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Parade Eats newsletter. ??
“If you grew up eating those cafeteria-style pizza burgers, this recipe is going to take you right back,” Gigliotti tells Parade. Her video brought back memories for dozens of people, like me, who hadn’t thought about pizza burgers in years. Her recipe captures all the cozy, familiar flavors (savory beef, zesty sauce, melty cheese and toasty buns) that made seeing pizza burgers on the menu so exciting when you were a kid.For Gigliotti, the recipe idea came from a simple conversation.
“One day, my son and I were talking about the lunches at school for the week,” she recalls, “and I happened to remember pizza burgers and also noticed I’ve never seen them on their lunch menu. Maybe it’s just a 90s thing?”That flash of nostalgia turned into a craving, and then into a viral recipe.“It was one of my favorite lunches at school as a kid,” she says. “After posting the video, it seems (from the comments) that a lot of people grew up with pizza burgers at school, but they varied drastically from school to school. Some people said their pizza burgers were literally burgers in between two pieces of pizza. Some used a burger patty on bread instead of a meat sauce.”That variety is part of what makes the recipe so nostalgic. Everyone seems to remember them a little differently, but the feeling is the same: warm, messy, satisfying comfort food.Related: We Tried 10 Different Aldi Pizzas and the Winner Was Very Clear
How To Make Pizza Burgers
To make her version of pizza burgers dish, Gigliotti browns ground beef, then stirs in a flavorful mix of pizza sauce, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. The sauce gets thick, rich, and full of that unmistakable pizza-meets-burger taste.
From there, it’s all about piling the mixture on hamburger buns, topping them with shredded cheese and broiling the burgers until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
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“The beauty of these is that you can top them with your favorite pizza toppings. I personally love mushrooms and bell peppers. Any melting cheese works! Cheddar is delicious, or a pepper jack," Gigliotti shares.
That flexibility is part of the fun. You can make them exactly like you remember from your school cafeteria, or dress them up your own way. Try chopped pepperoni for a classic twist, or sneak in some diced veggies to make them a little more weeknight wholesome.
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@stephgigliotti28Pizza Burgers If you grew up eating those cafeteria-style pizza burgers, this recipe is going to take you right back. ?? They’re simple, cheesy, a little saucy, and full of that throwback flavor we all loved on pizza day! Ingredients •1 lb ground beef •1/2 cup pizza sauce •1/4 cup ketchup • 2 tbsp yellow mustard • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce •1 tsp Italian seasoning •1/2 tsp garlic powder •Salt and pepper, to taste •6 hamburger buns, split •1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mix of mozzarella and cheddar) •Optional: chopped pepperoni, diced green peppers, or mushrooms ⸻ Instructions 1.Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until the meat is browned and crumbly. Drain off any excess grease. 2.Make it saucy: Stir in pizza sauce, ketchup, mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens a bit and smells amazing. 3.Assemble the pizza burgers: Arrange the split buns on a baking sheet, cut sides up. Spoon a generous amount of the beef mixture onto each bottom half. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and add any optional toppings you like. 4.Melt and toast: Broil on the middle rack for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. Watch closely — they toast fast!
♬ Cooking - IntiBumi MusicFinal Thoughts
Gigliotti believes pizza burgers endure because they’re more than just a meal—they’re a memory.
“I think it’s nostalgic,” she says, “as it seems to have been the most potent through the 70s, 80s and 90s. Plus, it’s an easy, quick meal or snack that’s super satisfying. It’s like the saucy and savory burger-pizza mash-up you didn’t know you needed.”
And she’s right. There’s something magical about how one bite can take you right back to the clatter of cafeteria trays and the excitement of pizza day. Now, you can make them at home in less than 30 minutes, without any mystery meat or lukewarm buns.
Gigliotti's pizza burgers are a trip down memory lane, and they’re also a reliable go-to when you need something simple and delicious that the whole family will devour (like my kids did).
“They are so good!! My kids went crazy for them,” she shares. That’s the kind of praise every busy parent wants to hear, and it was my exact experience when I made them. Everyone loved these!
These little sandwiches are quick to make, easy to customize and guaranteed to make even the busiest weeknight feel special.
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Stephanie Gigliotti is the food content creator behind Steph’s Real Life and the author of the upcoming The Stress-Free Slow Cooker.Hence then, the article about i made easy nostalgic pizza burgers and they re peak fall cooking was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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