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Crispy Smash Burger Pizza Recipe with Pepperoni Pickle and Special Sauce Made Easy

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A delicious mashup of crispy smash burger crust and cheesy pizza topped with pepperoni, pickles, and a smoky special sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual hangouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 ball or 1 flatbread pizza dough (about 10–12 inches)
  • Olive oil, for brushing
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon pickle juice
  • 20–25 pepperoni slices
  • ½ cup dill pickles, thinly sliced
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Special Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pickle juice until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
  2. Shape the Pizza Base: On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza dough or flatten flatbread to about 10-12 inches in diameter. Transfer to a baking sheet or pizza stone. Brush lightly with olive oil.
  3. Form the Burger Patties: Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 4 oz / 113g each). Roll each into a loose ball without overworking.
  4. Heat the Skillet: Place cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. Let melt and get hot until shimmering.
  5. Smash the Burgers: Place one beef ball in skillet and press down firmly with spatula or burger press to form a thin patty about ¼ inch thick. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes until edges are crispy and browned.
  6. Flip and Crisp: Flip patty and cook another 1-2 minutes. Add more butter if needed. Repeat with remaining patties.
  7. Assemble the Pizza: Spread special sauce generously over pizza base. Layer crispy smash burger patties evenly, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.
  8. Add Pepperoni and Pickles: Distribute pepperoni slices and thin pickle slices evenly over cheese.
  9. Bake: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake pizza for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and crust is golden brown.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven and let cool for a couple of minutes before slicing. Serve with extra special sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when smashing patties to ensure crispiness. If skillet smokes too much, lower heat slightly. Season patties after smashing to avoid drying out meat. For extra char on pepperoni, broil pizza for 30 seconds at the end but watch closely. Store leftovers in airtight container up to 2 days; reheat in skillet or oven to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger, pizza, pepperoni, pickles, special sauce, crispy crust, quick dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/crispy-smash-burger-pizza-recipe-with-pepperoni-pickle-and-special-sauce-made-easy/