Stacked Cheeseburger Pepperoni Pizza: The Ultimate Fusion Recipe
Remember those late-night debates about the ultimate comfort food? Is it a juicy cheeseburger, or a slice of greasy, perfect pepperoni pizza? For years, I was staunchly Team Burger. That is, until a raucous game night with friends, where the hunger won before a decision could be made. In a moment of “why not both?” inspiration, this Stacked Cheeseburger Pepperoni Pizza was born.
It’s not just a pizza with burger toppings haphazardly thrown on. It’s a thoughtful layering of flavors, starting with a special sauce and building to a finish that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. The first time I pulled this golden, bubbling masterpiece from the oven, the aroma alone—toasted sesame, sizzling beef, and melted cheese—told me we had created something special.
Why You’ll Love This Stacked Cheeseburger Pepperoni Pizza
It Solves the “What to Eat” Debate. No more choosing between two favorites. This recipe brings the best of both worlds together in one unforgettable meal.
It’s a Certified Crowd-Pleaser. This is the pizza you make for game day, birthday parties, or any gathering where you want to be declared the host with the most.
Fun to Make and Customize. Get the whole family involved in the stacking process. It’s a hands-on recipe that feels more like an event than a chore.
Comfort Food, Amplified. It takes everything you love about classic comfort foods and layers it into one epic, satisfying dish.
The Picky Eater’s Seal of Approval
I’ll never forget serving this to my nephew, a young man whose diet was, for years, proudly beige. He eyed the pizza with deep suspicion. I held my breath as he took a bite. There was a pause, then a slow nod. “This is like… a Big Mac, but on pizza,” he said, immediately going in for a second, much larger slice. It was the quietest he’d been all night. If it can win over a picky eater, it can win over anyone.
What Makes It Special
The magic of this pizza is in the details. It’s not just the ingredients, but how they’re used.
The “Special Sauce” Base: We skip the standard pizza sauce for a tangy, creamy spread that mimics the iconic burger sauce, setting the stage for the flavors to come.
A Toasted Sesame Seed Crust: Brushing the crust with a little butter and sprinkling it with sesame seeds creates an incredible aroma and a subtle but powerful nod to a burger bun.
The Double Cheese Strategy: Using a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese gives you that perfect pizza pull while delivering the sharp, familiar flavor of a cheeseburger.
The Flavor Bridge of Pepperoni: The pepperoni isn’t just there for show. Its salty, slightly spicy, and crispy edges bridge the gap between the burger and pizza worlds perfectly.
Making It Happen
Let’s build this flavor masterpiece together. Start by preheating your oven nice and hot—a piping hot oven is the secret to a crisp crust. If you have a pizza stone, let it heat up now.
While the oven is heating, let’s create our foundation. Roll out your pizza dough on a piece of parchment paper. Mix a tablespoon of melted butter with a splash of sesame oil and gently brush it around the outer edge of the crust; this is where we’ll get that wonderful toasted, buttery flavor. Sprinkle the buttered edge generously with sesame seeds.
Now, for the secret weapon: the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together ketchup, mayonnaise, a little yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, and a pinch of garlic powder. Spread this sauce evenly over the inner part of the dough, right up to the sesame seed border.
Next, the cheesy layer. Sprinkle about two-thirds of your shredded cheese blend over the sauce. This first layer of cheese acts like delicious glue, holding everything together. Now, scatter the cooked, seasoned ground beef and your thinly sliced onion evenly over the cheese. Arrange the pepperoni slices in a single layer, then crown it all with the remaining cheese.
Slide your pizza (on the parchment paper) onto your preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake until the crust is puffed and golden and the cheese is bubbling with those beautiful, lightly browned spots. The smell in your kitchen will be your guide. Once out of the oven, let it rest for just a few minutes—this is crucial for a clean slice. Scatter shredded iceberg lettuce and a few extra pickle chips over the top, then slice and serve.
You Must Know
Pre-cook Your Beef: Ensure your ground beef is well-browned and drained of excess fat. A soggy pizza is the enemy.
The Preheated Oven is Non-Negotiable: A blazing hot oven (500°F is ideal) is what gives you a crisp crust instead of a doughy one.
Let It Rest: It’s tempting to dive right in, but letting the pizza sit for 5 minutes allows the cheese to set slightly, so your slices stay intact.
Add Fresh Toppings Last: The lettuce and extra pickles are added after baking to keep them crisp and fresh, providing a wonderful textural contrast.
Serving It Up
This is a hearty pizza that stands proudly on its own. For a true diner-style experience, serve it with a side of crispy steak fries or a simple, sharp arugula salad to cut through the richness. For drinks, a classic lager or a bold, cherry-forward craft soda are perfect pairings.
Make It Different
This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your own cravings.
Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of sriracha mayo after baking.
Bacon Lover’s Swap: Replace the pepperoni with cooked, crumbled bacon.
Italian Twist: Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef and add a sprinkle of oregano.
Lighter Version: Use lean ground turkey, part-skim cheese, and a whole-wheat pizza crust.
Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers
Storage: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: For the best, non-soggy results, reheat slices in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until the bottom is crisp and the cheese is warm. The air fryer also works wonders for reviving the crispy crust.
Success Tips for the Perfect Pizza
For an extra-crispy crust, roll your dough out thinly. If you like a thicker, more bready crust, you can let it rise a bit longer before topping. Don’t be shy with the sesame seeds on the crust—they toast up beautifully and add so much flavor. Finally, use a pizza cutter or a very sharp chef’s knife to slice through all the delicious layers cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-made pizza dough?
Absolutely! A good-quality store-bought dough is a huge time-saver and works perfectly in this recipe.
What if I don’t have a pizza stone?
No problem at all. A standard baking sheet, flipped upside down and preheated in the oven, can create a great impromptu pizza stone surface. Alternatively, just bake it on a regular baking sheet.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, simply use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough blend and ensure all your other ingredients (like the Worcestershire sauce in the beef) are gluten-free.
Is the “special sauce” just Thousand Island dressing?
It’s very similar, but making it from scratch allows you to control the flavor and consistency perfectly, ensuring it’s not too runny for the pizza base.
Can I prepare this pizza ahead of time?
You can prepare the beef and mix the sauce a day in advance. However, for the best texture, I recommend assembling and baking the pizza just before you plan to serve it.
Recipe Card: Stacked Cheeseburger Pepperoni Pizza
| Prep time: | 20 minutes |
| Cook time: | 12-15 minutes |
| Total time: | 35 minutes |
| Servings: | 4-6 |
| Category: | Main Course |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Cuisine: | American Fusion |
| Yield: | 1 large pizza |
Ingredients
1 lb pizza dough, at room temperature
1 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp sesame seeds
½ lb ground beef (80/20 is ideal)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
¼ tsp garlic powder
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup thinly sliced yellow onion
30-40 slices pepperoni
1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
Additional pickle chips, for serving
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
On a floured surface, roll or stretch the pizza dough to a 12-14 inch circle. Transfer to a piece of parchment paper.
Combine the melted butter and sesame oil. Brush this mixture onto the outer 1-inch border of the dough. Sprinkle the sesame seeds evenly over the buttered edge.
In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Drain off any excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
In a small bowl, make the special sauce by stirring together the ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, and garlic powder.
Spread the special sauce evenly over the pizza dough, inside the sesame seed border.
Combine the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Sprinkle about two-thirds of the cheese blend over the sauce.
Top with the cooked ground beef, sliced onion, and pepperoni. Finish with the remaining cheese.
Carefully transfer the pizza (on the parchment paper) to the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and spotted with color.
Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Top with the shredded lettuce and extra pickle chips before slicing and serving.
Notes
The nutrition information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients you use.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated)
Calories: 580 kcal
Carbohydrates: 42g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 85mg
Sodium: 1280mg
