8 mini burger buns or slider buns 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade) 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 16-24 slices of pepperoni (or any favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, olives) 2 tablespoons butter (melted) 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for garlic butter topping) 1 tablespoon fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish) Instructions Prepare the Burger Patties: Read more on next page

• In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Mix until the seasonings are evenly incorporated.
• Shape the ground beef mixture into 8 small patties, about the size of your mini buns.

2. Cook the Patties:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook the mini patties for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through to your desired doneness. (For medium, the internal temperature should be about 160°F or 71°C.)
• Remove the patties from the skillet and set them aside on a plate to rest.

3. Assemble the Mini Pizza Burgers:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the bottom halves of the mini buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce on each bun, then place a cooked burger patty on top.
• Add a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese over each patty.
• Top the cheese with 2-3 slices of pepperoni (or other toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives).

4. Bake the Burgers:

• Place the assembled burgers in the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• While the burgers are baking, mix the melted butter with the garlic powder to create a garlic butter topping.

5. Finish and Serve:

• Remove the burgers from the oven and brush the top halves of the buns with the garlic butter mixture.
• Place the garlic-buttered top buns on the burgers and sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley for a burst of flavor.
• Serve hot with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.

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