Cheesy Smash Burger Pizza

You know what’s funny? I used to think burgers and pizza were two completely separate dinner options. That’s just how it was in our house growing up – Friday was pizza night, and burgers were strictly for weekend cookouts.

But then I discovered smash burgers, with their crispy, lacy edges and juicy centers. And it hit me – those same flavors would be amazing on a pizza. Not just throwing burger meat on top, but actually treating the pizza like it’s one giant smash burger. It’s simpler than you might think, and it combines the best parts of both foods into something that’s become a regular request at our house.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For the best smash burger pizza, you’ll want to use ground beef with a fat content of around 80/20 (that’s 80% lean meat and 20% fat). This higher fat content helps create those crispy, lacy edges that make smash burgers so special, while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful. If you go too lean, like with 90/10 ground beef, you might end up with drier, less flavorful results. Ground chuck is usually your best bet for this recipe, but regular ground beef labeled as 80/20 works great too. Just make sure your meat is cold when you start cooking – this helps achieve that perfect smash burger texture.

Options for Substitutions

This fun fusion recipe can be customized with several easy swaps:

• Minced beef: While beef gives you that classic smash burger taste, you could use ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives. Just know that turkey might be a bit drier, so consider adding a tablespoon of olive oil to the meat.
• Thousand Island dressing: No Thousand Island? Make your own by mixing mayo, ketchup, and relish, or try Russian dressing. Big Mac sauce works great too if you can find it!
• Pizza dough: Store-bought pizza dough is convenient, but you can use flatbread, naan, or even a prepared cauliflower crust. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly as these alternatives usually need less time in the oven.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use American cheese, monterey jack, or a mix of both for that real burger joint feel. Provolone or mozzarella work too, they’ll just give you more of a pizza vibe.
• Crinkle-cut fries: Any style of fries works here – straight-cut, waffle, or even tater tots. Just make sure they’re crispy before adding them to the pizza.
• Dill pickle chips: Out of pickle-flavored chips? Regular potato chips, crushed pretzels, or even french-fried onions make good crunchy toppings.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making smash burger pizza is getting the beef properly smashed and crispy – make sure to cook the ground beef in small portions and press firmly with a spatula to create those deliciously crispy edges that make smash burgers special. A common mistake is adding cold toppings too early; wait until the pizza comes out of the oven before adding the fresh lettuce and tomatoes, otherwise you’ll end up with wilted vegetables that lack that essential crunch. To keep your pizza crust crispy, pre-bake it for 5-7 minutes before adding any toppings, and avoid overloading it with too much Thousand Island dressing which can make the crust soggy. For the best texture combination, add the crushed potato chips just before serving – this gives you that perfect mix of crispy, crunchy, and cheesy in every bite.

What to Serve With Smash Burger Pizza?

Since this pizza already combines two comfort food favorites and comes loaded with toppings, you’ll want to keep the sides simple and complementary. A crisp, cold coleslaw provides a nice contrast to the warm, meaty pizza and adds a fresh crunch to your meal. You might also enjoy some extra dipping sauces on the side – ranch dressing or additional Thousand Island are perfect for both the pizza crust and any extra fries. For a lighter option, a simple mixed green salad dressed with vinaigrette helps balance out all those rich flavors. And don’t forget some cold beverages – a frosty beer or cola pairs perfectly with this fun mashup dish!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This smash burger pizza is best enjoyed right away while the fries are crispy and the lettuce is fresh. If you have leftovers, remove the fresh lettuce and store the pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add fresh lettuce when you’re ready to eat!

Make Ahead: You can prep some components ahead of time to make assembly quicker. Cook the beef and fries up to a day in advance, and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to make the pizza, just bring everything to room temperature before assembling.

Warm Up: To enjoy leftover pizza, heat it in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes until the cheese melts again. Skip the microwave to keep the crust from getting soggy. Remember to add fresh lettuce and crushed chips after reheating for the best texture!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	18-20 minutes
Total Time	33-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2500-2800
• Protein: 100-120 g
• Fat: 150-180 g
• Carbohydrates: 230-250 g

Ingredients

• 10 ounces minced beef
• 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 16 ounces pizza dough, ready-made
• 10 ounces thousand island dressing
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup chopped dill pickles
• 8 ounces cooked crinkle-cut fries
• 6 ounces sliced roma tomatoes
• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 2 ounces crushed dill pickle potato chips

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Cook the Beef

Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C).

While the oven is heating up, place a medium pan over medium-high heat and sauté the ground beef.

Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, cooking until the beef is browned and fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes.

Once done, allow the beef to cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Pizza Dough

Next, pull and stretch your prepared pizza dough into a 16-inch round disc.

Place the dough onto a pizza peel that has been lightly sprinkled with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking.

This will help you easily transfer the pizza to the oven later.

Step 3: Add Sauce and Cheese

Evenly spread 10 ounces of Thousand Island dressing over the center of the pizza dough, using the back of a ladle to spread it outward, ensuring you leave about a 1-inch edge without sauce for the crust.

Follow by sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the dressing for the cheesy base.

Step 4: Layer the Toppings

On top of the cheese, add the cooked ground beef evenly across the pizza.

Then, top with 1/3 cup of chopped dill pickles and 8 ounces of cooked crinkle-cut fries to give your pizza a unique and hearty flair.

Step 5: Cook the Pizza

Carefully place the pizza in the preheated oven, either on a pizza stone or the backside of a sheet pan.

Cook the pizza for about 18-20 minutes.

For even cooking, rotate the pizza once halfway through the cooking process.

Step 6: Add Fresh Toppings and Serve

After removing the pizza from the oven, add fresh toppings by placing slices of Roma tomatoes and shredded romaine lettuce over the top.

These fresh ingredients will provide a crisp contrast to the rich toppings.

Slice and serve your delicious pizza while hot!