Name: Big Mac Pizza Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pre-baked pizza shell (12-inch) (or 1 pound pizza dough, see Notes); 1 teaspoon olive oil; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds; 1 pound ground beef; ¾ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ cup ketchup plus 2 tablespoons; ½ teaspoon granulated garlic; ½ teaspoon granulated onion; 1 ½ tablespoons dill pickle brine; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 9 slices American cheese; 1 ½ cups shredded iceberg lettuce; ¼ cup chopped dill pickles; ¼ cup chopped sweet onions or green onions; ¼ cup Burger Sauce (additional for drizzling as desired)

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Introduction

The Big Mac Pizza is a fun twist on the classic burger, combining all the iconic flavors of a Big Mac into a cheesy, savory pizza. This recipe brings together seasoned ground beef, pickles, shredded lettuce, and a special sauce on a crispy sesame seed crust. It’s a delightful way to enjoy your favorite fast food flavor at home.

A close-up view of a large sandwich on a sesame seed bun placed on a wooden board. The sandwich has multiple layers starting with melted yellow cheese covering the bun, followed by a layer of chopped lettuce and diced pickles evenly spread on top. A drizzle of creamy yellow sauce is scattered over the lettuce and pickles. Around the sandwich, there are three small clear glass bowls containing finely chopped white onions, diced pickles, and chopped green onions. The setting includes a red and white checkered cloth under the wooden board, and the background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 pre-baked pizza shell (12-inch) (See Notes)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 pound ground beef
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup ketchup plus 2 tablespoons
½ teaspoon granulated garlic
½ teaspoon granulated onion
1 ½ tablespoons dill pickle brine
1 teaspoon cornstarch
9 slices American cheese
1 ½ cups shredded iceberg lettuce
¼ cup chopped dill pickles
¼ cup chopped sweet onions or green onions
¼ cup Burger Sauce or more to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
Step 2: Crumble the ground beef into a medium skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over it and break it up as you brown it. Avoid overcooking since it will cook further on the pizza. If there is a large amount of fat, pour off excess, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan for flavor.
Step 3: Stir in the ketchup, granulated garlic, and granulated onion into the beef.
Step 4: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the pickle juice and cornstarch to make a slurry. Pour this over the beef and stir over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Step 5: Brush the pizza shell’s surface with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds. Spread the cooked beef mixture on the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around the edges.
Step 6: Lay the American cheese slices in an overlapping pattern on top of the beef, leaving the ½-inch edge clear. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese melts without toasting.
Step 7: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board. Scatter shredded lettuce, chopped pickles, and onions over the top, then drizzle with burger sauce.
Step 8: Optionally, sprinkle extra sesame seeds over the pizza. Cut into 8 wedges and serve hot or warm.

Tips & Variations

If you don’t have a pre-baked pizza crust, use 1 pound of pizza dough. Stretch it to a 12-inch round and pre-bake for 8-10 minutes until set but pale, then proceed with the toppings.
For a spicier version, add a dash of hot sauce to the burger sauce before drizzling.
Use sharp cheddar cheese instead of American for a different flavor profile.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350ºF until warmed through to keep the crust crisp. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

A close-up of a sesame seed crusted pizza with several layers: the base is a thick, pale beige crust covered by melted yellow cheese oozing slightly over the edge; on top of the cheese are bits of dark brown meat, then a thick pile of shredded bright green lettuce mixed with light green chopped pickles, all drizzled with a creamy light orange sauce. The pizza is placed on a wooden board with a textured surface, and in the background, there are small glass bowls with more chopped green pickles, all set on a white marbled countertop. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pizza dough instead of a pre-baked shell?

Yes, you can stretch fresh dough to about 12 inches, pre-bake it for 8-10 minutes until partially cooked, then add toppings and bake as directed.

What can I use if I don’t have dill pickle brine?

If you don’t have dill pickle brine, you can substitute with a small splash of vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar or use a mild pickle juice from store-bought pickles.