Cheeseburger Garlic Naan Pizzas (Print Version)

Mini naan with seasoned beef, pickles, cheese sauce, and garlic—a fun cheeseburger twist perfect for sharing.

# Components:

→ Beef Topping

01 - 9 oz ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 clove garlic, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon yellow mustard

→ Naan Bases

08 - 4 mini garlic naan breads (approximately 5 inches each)

→ Cheese Sauce

09 - 1/2 cup whole milk
10 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
11 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
12 - 3 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
13 - 1.5 oz American cheese, chopped
14 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Topping and Garnish

16 - 1.5 oz dill pickles, thinly sliced
17 - 2 tablespoons ketchup (optional)
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
19 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions or chives

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place naan breads on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
02 - Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 2 minutes. Add chopped onion and cook until beef is browned and onions are softened, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and yellow mustard to the beef. Stir thoroughly and cook for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat.
04 - Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth, then cook until slightly thickened, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add grated cheddar and chopped American cheese along with garlic powder. Stir until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Spread a thin layer of cheese sauce on each naan bread. Top with cooked beef mixture, additional cheese sauce, and sliced pickles.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the naan edges are crisp and toppings are bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven. Drizzle with ketchup if desired, sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped scallions or chives. Slice and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything you crave about a cheeseburger, but you can eat it with one hand while standing at the counter.
  • The cheese sauce is embarrassingly easy and tastes like the stuff from a really good burger joint.
  • You can prep the beef ahead and just assemble when people show up unexpectedly.
  • It uses store-bought naan, so there's zero dough anxiety involved.
02 -
  • Drain the beef if there's a lot of fat pooling in the pan, or your naan will get soggy instead of crispy.
  • Make the cheese sauce right before you assemble, it thickens fast as it cools and won't spread as smoothly if you wait too long.
  • Don't skip the parchment paper, the cheese sauce can drip and burn onto the pan.
03 -
  • Toast the naan for 2 minutes in the oven before adding toppings if you want an extra-crispy base.
  • Use a cheese grater to shred your own cheddar, pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.
  • If the cheese sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of milk to loosen it back up.
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