EPIC Pizza Smash Burger Tacos

Name: EPIC Pizza Smash Burger Tacos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2/3 cup pasta sauce; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided; 1 small yellow onion, chopped; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 1 lb ground beef; sea salt and black pepper to taste; 6 small flour tortillas; 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (I use mini turkey pepperoni); 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

October 10, 2024

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These Pizza Smash Burger Tacos are EPIC! Such a fun twist on the viral smash burger tacos. These pizza tacos are made with just a few simple ingredients and hit the spot for dinner.

If you’ve been on the lookout for a dish that brings together the best of pizza, burgers, and tacos in one delicious bite, look no further! Introducing Pizza Smash Burger Tacos—a mouthwatering combination of Italian flavors, juicy beef, and the crunch of a taco all in one meal. Imagine the savoriness of a burger, the rich, cheesy goodness of pizza, and the hand-held convenience of a taco. It’s everything you could want in a comfort food, and it’s going to become your new favorite weeknight dinner.

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to make these incredible Pizza Smash Burger Tacos step by step, using simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

Why Pizza Smash Burger Tacos?

The name says it all: Pizza Smash Burger Tacos combine the flavor profiles of three iconic dishes into one satisfying meal. The juicy beef patty from a smash burger is flavored with Italian seasoning, topped with pizza-style ingredients like pepperoni and mozzarella, then nestled in a tortilla taco shell. The result? A delicious fusion that feels both familiar and brand new at the same time.

Whether you’re hosting a game night, family dinner, or looking for an inventive meal to wow your friends, this recipe will quickly become a hit.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Pasta sauce – The pasta sauce serves as the “pizza” element in these tacos. It brings that familiar tomato-based flavor with a hint of herbs and spices.
Italian seasoning (divided) – Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs commonly used in Italian cooking, typically including oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
Yellow onion – Onions provide a sweet, savory depth to the dish when cooked.
Bell pepper – Bell peppers add a slight sweetness, crunch, and a pop of color to the dish.
Ground beef – Ground beef is the “burger” component of the dish. When smashed thin, it gets crispy on the edges, similar to the patties in traditional smash burgers.
Small flour tortillas – The flour tortillas serve as the taco shells, but they also mimic pizza crust. Please don’t use corn tortillas!
Pepperoni slices – Pepperoni is a classic pizza topping that brings a spicy, savory kick to the tacos.
Mozzarella cheese – Mozzarella is a soft, melty cheese traditionally used on pizza. Its mild flavor and stringy texture when melted are perfect for these tacos.
Parmesan cheese – Parmesan is a harder, sharper cheese that adds an extra depth of flavor and a salty punch. Sprinkling it on top of the tacos gives them a finishing touch.

These ingredients are simple, yet packed with flavor. The key to this dish lies in how you build each component: tender caramelized vegetables, seasoned beef, melty cheese, and, of course, the pizza sauce that brings it all together.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Pizza Smash Burger Tacos:

1. Warm the Pasta Sauce

Start by adding your 2/3 cup of pasta sauce to a small pot and warm it over low heat. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the sauce. Warming it beforehand ensures it’s ready to be spooned onto your tacos when everything else is finished.

2. Prep the Vegetables

Next, in a large bowl, toss the chopped onion and chopped bell pepper with olive oil and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. This step gives the vegetables an extra flavor boost that compliments the Italian vibe of the dish.

3. Cook the Vegetables

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat with a little oil. Add your seasoned onions and peppers, and cook them until they become soft and caramelized—about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.

Once the vegetables are done, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. They’ll make a return later in the recipe as part of the toppings for your smash burgers.

4. Prepare the Beef

While your vegetables are cooking, grab your 1 lb of ground beef and mix in 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning in the same bowl you used for the peppers and onions. This infuses the beef with an extra layer of Italian flavor that pairs perfectly with the pizza toppings.

Divide the seasoned beef into six equal-sized balls.

5. Smash and Cook the Beef

Now it’s time to create the signature smash burgers. Increase the heat on your skillet or griddle to medium-high. Place one beef ball in the skillet, then press it down firmly with a spatula until it flattens into a patty. You want the beef to get nice and thin, maximizing the surface area for a crispy sear.

Cook the beef for 3 to 4 minutes, then flip it over to cook the other side. Once flipped, you’ll add your toppings.

6. Add Toppings and Cheese

Once you’ve flipped the beef, it’s time to transform it from a burger to a pizza smash burger taco! Start by adding your cooked peppers and onions on top of the beef, followed by pepperoni slices. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the toppings.

If you’re using a griddle, close the lid or cover the skillet to let the cheese melt into gooey perfection. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes. The cheese should be fully melted, covering the pepperoni and beef patty like a cheesy pizza blanket.

7. Assemble the Tacos

As your cheese melts, it’s time to prep the tortillas. While some people like to warm their tortillas in a dry skillet for a few seconds, you can also serve them at room temperature if you’re short on time.

Place the smashed, pizza-topped beef patty in the center of a tortilla. Spoon a bit of the warmed pasta sauce on top of the meat, then sprinkle some parmesan cheese for an extra punch of flavor.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Once assembled, serve your Pizza Smash Burger Tacos immediately. They’re best enjoyed hot, with the cheese still melted and the tortillas slightly crisp from the smashed beef.

Why You’ll Love Pizza Smash Burger Tacos:

Flavor Fusion: This dish brings together the best of pizza, burgers, and tacos. The combination of Italian-seasoned beef, caramelized veggies, pepperoni, and mozzarella makes every bite a flavor explosion.
Quick & Easy: This recipe only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something special.
Customizable: Feel free to switch up the toppings! Try adding mushrooms, olives, or even a spicy marinara sauce for a different flavor twist.
Fun to Eat: Since these are served in taco form, they’re easy to hold and eat, making them a hit for kids, casual dinners, and parties alike.

Tips for Success:

Smash the beef thin: The thinner the beef patty, the crispier the edges will be, adding that delightful contrast in texture between the soft tortilla and melty cheese.
Use high-quality cheese: Freshly grated mozzarella and parmesan are key to getting that signature melty texture that makes pizza so irresistible.
Add a spicy kick: If you love a little heat, sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top of the cheese before you cover the skillet.

Pizza Smash Burger Tacos are the perfect way to elevate your taco game while incorporating the flavors of your favorite Italian dishes. They’re cheesy, beefy, and loaded with pizza-inspired toppings that are guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters. Whether you’re cooking for your family or looking for a fun, fusion-style recipe to try with friends, this dish is bound to be a hit.

So, what are you waiting for? Get those ingredients ready and dive into the world of Pizza Smash Burger Tacos—it’s a fusion you’ll be making again and again!