Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

I love a good food mashup, and bacon cheeseburger pizza is the ultimate example of a mad scientist’s experiment. This recipe features juicy beef, smoky bacon, gooey cheese and a pile of pickles on a crispy pizza crust. Serve bacon cheddar cheeseburger pizza when the fam can’t decide between pizza or burgers, or at game nights and tailgates when you need big flavors in handheld form. I promise it’ll be your new favorite pizza recipe (and as a bonus, it’s faster than delivery).

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Ingredients

• Ground beef: Choose a blend of ground beef with 80% lean and 20% fat for a good mix of substance and rich flavor.
• Onion: A small chopped onion cooks right down into the beef, adding savory sweetness that mimics grilled burger flavor. Many kinds of onions can work, but white onions are classic.
• Prebaked pizza crust: A premade pizza crust means you can get pizza on the table in record time. If you’re feeling ambitious, make pizza dough from scratch. (You’ll need to prebake it before adding the toppings.)
• Pizza sauce: It’s a snap to get a great one from the store, but you can easily whip up pizza sauce on the fly from pantry staples. A pizza is only as good as its sauce, which should add the right tangy tomato base to balance all the rich, cheesy goodness.
• Bacon: Crispy bacon crumbled on top brings the smoky crunch you expect from a bacon cheeseburger. Cook the bacon on the spot or use leftovers; either way is excellent.
• Dill pickles: A good burger needs that tangy pickle flavor, and this cheeseburger pizza is no exception. Dill is the best choice, but you can also use bread and butter pickles.
• Mozzarella and cheddar cheese: Using two cheeses makes this a classic mashup. Mozzarella gives it that ideal pizza pull, while  cheddar adds a sharper, burger-like punch. Both are all-star melting cheeses and hold the whole pie together.
• Pizza or Italian seasoning: For an authentic finish, add a sprinkle of Italian seasoning with herbs like basil, oregano, garlic and pepper. For a slightly spicier flavor, try seasoning the pizza with red pepper flakes.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the beef and onion

Cook beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease and liquid and set the skillet aside.

Step 2: Build the pizza

Place the premade crust on an ungreased 12-inch pizza pan. Spread it with pizza sauce. Top the pizza with the beef mixture, bacon, pickles and cheeses. Sprinkle it with Italian seasoning.

Step 4: Bake it to perfection

Bake the bacon cheeseburger pizza at 450°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Variations

• Make it more burger: After baking, add diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce and red onion for a full burger-toppings vibe.
• Make it more pizza: Add mushrooms, green peppers and black olives for a supreme-style spin.
• Make it barbecue: Use barbecue sauce instead of pizza sauce, and drizzle ranch over the top after baking.
• Add spice: Use pepper jack instead of cheddar, and top the pizza with pickled jalapenos for heat.

How to Store Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

Leftover pizza keeps surprisingly well, and you’ll be glad you saved a slice (or three) to snack on later. Let the pizza cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or store it in an airtight container. Refrigerate it promptly to keep the crust crisp and the toppings fresh.

How long does bacon cheeseburger pizza last?

Bacon cheeseburger pizza lasts for three to four days in the refrigerator when stored properly.

How should you reheat bacon cheeseburger pizza?

The best way to reheat bacon cheeseburger pizza is in the oven at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, which keeps the crust crispy and the cheese gooey. Reheating in the microwave could make it soggy.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Tips

Can you use a different type of pizza crust for bacon cheeseburger pizza?

You can absolutely use a different crust for this bacon cheeseburger pizza. Homemade pizza dough gives you complete control, while a gluten-free crust keeps the pizza allergy-friendly and a cauliflower crust keeps it low-carb. Or be like Giada De Laurentiis and make pizza crust with Italian beer!

What can you serve with bacon cheeseburger pizza?

A bacon cheddar cheeseburger pizza demands side dishes from both sides of its family tree. A mix of diner sides (like french fries and milkshakes) and pizzeria faves (like a hearty Caesar salad and a big square of tiramisu) would make this a meal for the delicious record books.