Open-Faced Pizza Burgers

### Instructions:

#### 1. **Prepare the Burger Patties**
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef (or alternative) with Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overwork the meat.
– Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a patty, making a small indent in the center of each patty to prevent them from puffing up as they cook.
– Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook the burger patties for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove from heat and set aside.

#### 2. **Toast the Buns**
– While the burgers are cooking, cut the hamburger buns in half and toast them lightly. You can do this in a toaster, on the grill, or in a pan with a little butter for extra flavor. Toast until golden and crispy.

#### 3. **Assemble the Open-Faced Pizza Burgers**
– Preheat your oven’s broiler on high.
– Place each toasted bun half on a baking sheet or oven-safe dish.
– Spoon about a tablespoon of marinara sauce onto each bun, spreading it evenly across the surface.
– Place a cooked burger patty on top of each sauced bun half.
– Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each patty, followed by a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if using.
– Add your choice of pizza toppings. Popular choices include pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or olives. You can also add some fresh basil for extra flavor.

#### 4. **Broil the Pizza Burgers**
– Place the assembled pizza burgers under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the bun are slightly crispy.
– Keep a close eye on them to ensure the cheese doesn’t burn and the buns don’t toast too much.

#### 5. **Serve and Enjoy**
– Remove from the oven and let cool for a minute or two.
– Garnish with fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an added touch of flavor and color.
– Serve immediately while hot, with a side of salad or your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch or extra marinara sauce.

### Tips for Customizing Open-Faced Pizza Burgers:

– **Cheese Variations**: While mozzarella is the classic pizza cheese, you can experiment with other varieties such as cheddar, gouda, or even a spicy pepper jack for a bold twist.
– **Extra Veggies**: Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or other veggies to the toppings to boost the nutrition and flavor of your pizza burgers.
– **Make Them Spicy**: For a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes on top of the cheese, or add sliced jalapeños or hot sausage to the patty.
– **Make Them Mini**: For a fun appetizer, try making mini pizza burgers by using smaller buns or slider-sized patties. Perfect for parties or game day!
– **Gluten-Free Option**: Swap out the regular buns for gluten-free burger buns, or use lettuce leaves as a low-carb alternative.

### Why Open-Faced Pizza Burgers Are a Winner:

– **Pizza and Burgers Combined**: What could be better than combining two of the most beloved foods—pizza and burgers? Open-Faced Pizza Burgers offer all the best flavors of a pizza with the satisfying juiciness of a burger.
– **Customizable to Your Taste**: Whether you like your pizza loaded with toppings or just with classic pepperoni, you can make these burgers your own with your favorite ingredients.
– **Perfect for All Occasions**: These pizza burgers are great for casual dinners, family nights, or even as a fun party dish. They’re also perfect for kids who love pizza but want something a little different.
– **Easy and Quick**: Ready in under 30 minutes, these burgers are an ideal weeknight meal that doesn’t require hours of preparation. You can make them quickly, and the results are always delicious.

### Final Thoughts:

**Open-Faced Pizza Burgers** are a creative, fun, and mouthwatering twist on two iconic comfort foods—pizza and burgers. With a crispy bun, juicy burger patty, flavorful marinara sauce, and melted cheese, these burgers bring all the best flavors of pizza into a new, handheld form. Plus, they’re fully customizable, allowing you to mix and match your favorite pizza toppings for a unique twist every time.

Whether you’re craving something new for dinner or hosting a casual get-together, these Open-Faced Pizza Burgers will satisfy everyone’s cravings and leave everyone asking for seconds. Try them out today, and enjoy the ultimate pizza-burger fusion!