Hawaiian pizza burger combines two favorite dishes for one tasty meal

The first time I heard about Hawaiian pizza was freshman year of college on Super Bowl Sunday. My roommates wanted to order Papa John’s, and someone suggested Hawaiian pizza. Being the token New Yorker who had never eaten Papa John’s because there was a legitimate pizzeria on every street corner in town, I not only cringed at the idea of getting our pie from a franchise establishment, but the mere suggestion of pineapple on it threw me over the edge.

They ordered it anyway, and after much kicking and screaming, I finally caved and tried a slice. My first thought? Weird. Totally weird. It grew on me, though, and four years later, my accomplishments as a 22-year-old included a magna cum laude double major degree, an accepted job offer in the business world and a tolerance for pineapple on my pizza.

This Hawaiian pizza burger takes things to the next level by marrying the traditional American burger with Hawaiian pizza. With melted mozzarella, a thick-cut slice of ham and some caramelized pineapple, it’s a savory-sweet explosion of weirdness that just works. Apparently those Hawaiians know a thing or two when it comes to pineapple.

Hawaiian pizza burger recipe

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• Salt and pepper
• 4 thick-cut pineapple ring slices
• 4 thick-cut (about 1/4 pound each) pieces cooked ham
• 4 slices mozzarella
• 4 hamburger buns

Directions:

1. Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and grease with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt and pepper, and then form 4 hamburger patties, about 1/4 pound each.
3. Place the burgers into the skillet, and cook for about 4 – 5 minutes on each side.
4. Place a slice of mozzarella on top of each one about 1 minute before cooking time is up, and cover with a lid to melt. Set the burgers aside on a plate, and cover to keep warm.
5. Place the 4 pieces of ham in the same skillet, and warm through until browned on each side, about 2 – 3 minutes. Set aside.
6. Finally, place the pineapple rings in the skillet, and cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until just starting to caramelize.
7. Assemble the burger by placing the ham slice on the bottom of the bun, then the burger and the pineapple slice on top.

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