I remember pizza burger day in the lunchroom cafeteria, nobody wanted to trade for anything that might have been brought from home.  And if you had extra money in your pocket maybe you bought a second lunch to save for later when you had an open class.

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Now that I’m all grown up I still occasionally make these treats.  I’ll admit it, I like them.  And now I can spice them up in ways that the school cafeteria wouldn’t.

First You Start with a Base

Your base can be just about anything, but traditionally it is half a bun.  Top or bottom, it doesn’t matter.  But you don’t have to use a bun if you don’t want to.

• Bagel half
• English Muffin half
• Pita, pocket bread
• Gyro wrapper
• Naan
• Flat sandwich wraps, many varieties
• Large speciality crackers
• Slices of speciality breads

Then You Choose a Sauce

Traditionally you will use a tomato based pizza sauce.  But you don’t have to.  You have all of these choices and more.

• Salsa
• Bruschetta, many varieties
• Pesto, many varieties
• Cream Garlic
• Cheese sauces, many varieties
• BBQ sauce
• Steak sauce

If You’re a Carnivore You Can Select a Meat, or More Than One

The normal meat selection is of course browned ground beef.  Again, this does not mean you must make it that way.

• Chicken
• Steak
• Pork Loin
• Sausage, many varieties
• Pepperoni
• Salami, many varieties
• Ham
• Bacon
• Canadian Bacon
• Tofu, ok so Tofu isn’t a meat, some people like it…somewhere…so I’m told

At School They Never Put Veggies On

But that doesn’t mean you can’t.  Here are just some ideas, I’ve left some of the bigger veggies out simply because we are talking about something that has to fit on something the size of bun.

• Garbanzo beans, also known as Chick Peas, full of protein
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Corn
• Black Beans
• White Beans
• All kinds of Beans

Spices

Don’t forget to sprinkle a little flavor goodness on there.  Break out the Cayenne, or the Dill, or my favorite Sweet Basil.

Cheese

There are all types of cheeses you can use.  Be creative.  Just don’t use that stuff that comes individually wrapped and tastes like…not real sure what it tastes like.  Certainly not cheese.

Now go off and discover a new pizza burger.  Maybe a Chicken and Garbanzo Bean topping in a Bruschetta sauce on half a Bagel, covered in Provolone.  Mmmmmmmmm.