Irresistible Pizza Burger Sliders: The Ultimate Game Day Treat
Football season brings with it a unique kind of excitement, and for many, that excitement is amplified by the prospect of delicious game day grub. Whether you’re tailgating with fellow fans, hosting a lively watch party with friends and family, or simply enjoying the game from the comfort of your couch, flavorful football food is an absolute must. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that ingeniously combines two all-time favorites into one handheld delight: these incredible Pizza Burger Sliders. Not only do they bring together the best of both worlds, but they also feature a surprising secret ingredient that elevates their flavor to a whole new level: creamy, savory hummus!
Discovering the Secret to Unforgettable Pizza Burger Flavor: Sabra Pizza Hummus
As a passionate food enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with my friends at Sabra on various culinary adventures. Their innovative spirit consistently impresses me, and one of their standout creations earlier this Fall was nothing short of genius: their Pizza Hummus. Now, I know what you might be thinking – “Pizza Hummus? That sounds a little unconventional!” But trust me when I say, it’s not weird; it’s absolutely delicious. This unique hummus masterfully captures the rich, velvety texture you expect from Sabra, but it’s infused with a harmonious blend of seasonings that instantly transport your taste buds to pizza paradise. Imagine all the robust, herbaceous, and savory notes of your favorite pizza, perfectly balanced within a smooth hummus. It’s truly a game-changer.
Sabra’s Pizza Hummus is conveniently sold in six-packs of individual containers, making it incredibly versatile for snacking on the go or incorporating into recipes. You should be able to find it right where you typically purchase your hummus. The moment I started brainstorming ideas for game day burger sliders, the concept of “pizza burgers” immediately sparked my imagination. I knew I wanted to infuse that classic pizza taste into the meat, and it clicked: this new pizza-flavored hummus would be the ideal secret weapon to impart a rich, authentic pizza essence directly into the burger patties. I already make it a point to bring hummus to tailgating events anyway, as it pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables for an easy and undeniably tasty snack option. When I began experimenting by blending the hummus into the ground beef, the results were nothing short of spectacular. The burgers turned out incredibly hearty, bursting with flavor, and they complemented the classic pizza toppings perfectly. I am completely smitten with this recipe!
Why Pizza Burger Sliders are Your New Favorite Game Day Food
As the colder weather approaches, I opted to cook these fantastic Pizza Burger Sliders indoors. However, their versatility means you can effortlessly cook them on the grill if you’re enjoying a pre-game tailgate party or any outdoor gathering. These sliders are truly the quintessential game day food for several compelling reasons. Their compact size makes them incredibly easy to grab and enjoy with one hand, leaving your other hand free to hold your beverage of choice – whether that’s a cold beer, a refreshing soda, or a fizzy pop. This one-handed convenience is a major win when you’re caught up in the excitement of the game.
Beyond their practicality, these sliders offer a satisfying heartiness that belies their smaller size. Unlike a full-sized burger, however, they offer a smarter portion. Coming in at just 5 Weight Watchers SmartPoints or approximately 185 calories each, they provide a delicious and fulfilling bite without overdoing it. This thoughtful portion control allows you the flexibility to enjoy other snacking options during your gathering, making them a perfect addition to a diverse spread. So, the next time your favorite team takes the field, don’t miss out on the opportunity to savor the best of both worlds – have your pizza and burger too, all in one delightful slider!
For those tracking their intake, viewing your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and effortlessly tracking it in the WW app or site is simple. Just click here! These Pizza Burger Sliders are more than just a snack; they’re a celebration of flavor, convenience, and smart choices, making them an absolute must-try for any football fan or party host.
Crafting the Perfect Pizza Burger Sliders: Tips for Success
Making these Pizza Burger Sliders is a straightforward process, but a few key tips can ensure your sliders are exceptionally delicious every time. Let’s walk through some advice for preparation, cooking, and customization.
Choosing Your Ingredients Wisely
- Ground Beef: We recommend using 95% lean ground beef to keep the sliders lighter, but still flavorful. The hummus adds plenty of moisture, so you won’t miss the extra fat. If you prefer, ground turkey can also be used for an even leaner option.
- Sabra Pizza Hummus: This is the star secret ingredient! Its unique seasoning is what sets these sliders apart. Make sure you use the individual 2 oz containers for accurate measurement.
- Cheese: Shredded 2% Mozzarella cheese is ideal for its classic pizza melt and lower fat content. Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like provolone or a Monterey Jack blend if you want to change things up.
- Pizza Sauce: A good quality pizza sauce is essential. You only need a small amount per slider, but it adds a crucial layer of flavor.
- Turkey Pepperoni: Opting for turkey pepperoni is a great way to enjoy the classic taste with fewer calories and less fat than traditional pepperoni.
- Whole Wheat Slider Buns: Using whole wheat buns adds fiber and a slightly nuttier flavor, making the sliders a more wholesome option. Look for soft, fresh buns that can hold up to the juicy patties.
Expert Preparation and Cooking Techniques
The beauty of these sliders lies in their simplicity. Here’s how to ensure they turn out perfectly:
- Mixing the Patties: When combining the ground beef, hummus, salt, and pepper, use your hands to gently mix until everything is just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough burgers, so aim for a light touch. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and gently roll them into balls.
- Forming and Cooking: Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle pan misted with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Place the meat balls onto the hot pan, leaving enough space between them. Using a spatula, lightly press down on each ball to form a flat, round patty. This “smash burger” technique creates a fantastic crust.
- The Perfect Melt: Cook the patties for 3-4 minutes per side. Once flipped, immediately top each with a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella. To achieve that irresistible, perfectly melted cheese, cover the pan with a large pot lid, holding it an inch or two above the burgers. This traps steam and helps the cheese melt beautifully and evenly in just 2-3 minutes. Cook until your desired doneness is reached.
- Grilling Option: If you’re tailgating or enjoying the outdoors, these sliders are phenomenal on the grill! Prepare the patties as instructed, then grill them over medium-high heat for about 3-4 minutes per side, adding the cheese in the last minute or two of cooking and covering with a grill lid to melt.
- Assembling for Maximum Flavor: Once cooked, transfer the hot, cheesy patties to your slider buns. A half-teaspoon of pizza sauce on each bun, followed by a slice of turkey pepperoni and the top bun, completes the masterpiece. Serve immediately to enjoy them at their best!
Customization and Serving Suggestions
While delicious as is, these Pizza Burger Sliders are also incredibly adaptable. Consider these variations and serving ideas:
- Extra Toppings: Add a sprinkle of dried oregano or Italian seasoning to the meat mixture for even more pizza flavor. Consider adding finely diced onions or bell peppers to the mix before forming patties.
- Gourmet Toppings: Offer a variety of additional toppings on the side, such as sautéed mushrooms, black olives, banana peppers, or a dash of red pepper flakes for those who like a little heat.
- Sauce Bar: Alongside the pizza sauce, provide small bowls of marinara for dipping, ranch dressing, or even a spicy aioli to cater to different tastes.
- Sides for the Win: Pair these sliders with classic game day sides like sweet potato fries, a crisp green salad, a colorful pasta salad, or some crunchy veggie sticks with extra Sabra hummus.
- Dessert Pairing: Don’t forget a refreshing dessert to balance the savory sliders. Mini fruit tarts or a light fruit salad would be perfect.
These Pizza Burger Sliders are truly a celebration of flavor and convenience, designed to make your game day gatherings or casual meals at home effortlessly delicious and memorable. Their unique twist, thanks to the Sabra Pizza Hummus, ensures they’ll be a conversation starter and a crowd favorite every time.
*I have proudly partnered with Sabra as a part of their 2015 Tastemakers Panel. My time commitment to work with their product has been compensated, however, please be assured that all opinions expressed are entirely my own, and I have not received payment for publishing positive comments. My genuine enthusiasm for their innovative products drives my recommendations.
Pizza Burger Sliders
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Ingredients
- 1 lb raw 95% lean ground beef
- 1 (2 oz) container of Sabra Pizza Flavored Hummus Singles
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup 2% shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 4 teaspoons pizza sauce
- 8 slices turkey pepperoni
- 8 whole wheat slider buns, I used Wegmans brand
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, hummus and a sprinkle of salt and cracked black pepper (I used my hands) until well combined. Form the meat mixture into 8 equally sized balls.*
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Mist a nonstick skillet or griddle pan with cooking spray and bring to medium-high heat and place some or all of the meat balls onto the pan (I did mine in two batches, it will depend on the size of your burner and pan). Using a plastic spatula/flipper, press down lightly on the top of each ball to form a round patty. Cook for 3-4 minutes (mine was good at 3 minutes) and flip each patty. Once the patties are flipped, top each with a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella and cook, holding a large pot lid and inch or two over top of the burgers to trap some of the steam in and melt the cheese, for another 2-3 minutes or until desired doneness.
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Transfer the cooked burgers to the slider buns and top each one with ½ teaspoon of pizza sauce, a pepperoni and the top half of the slider bun. Serve immediately.
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*You could also easily make these on the grill if you’re tailgating!
Notes
Nutrition Information:
185 calories, 15 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 18 g protein, 2 g fiber (from myfitnesspal.com)
MyWW SmartPoints per (1 slider) serving:(SP calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)
Green: 5 SmartPoints/ Blue: 5 SmartPoints/ Purple: 5 SmartPoints
Weight Watchers Points Plus:
5 per slider or 2 sliders for 9 Points Plus (P+ calculated using the recipe builder on weightwatchers.com)