Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and an oven safe wire rack and set aside.

To a large bowl mix together the ground beef, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, salt and black pepper, being careful not to overwork the meat to avoid the burgers being tough when cooked.

Divide the ground beef mixture into 4, equally sized (approximately 4 ounces each) burger patties. The patties should be approximately 3 ½ inches in diameter and approximately ½ inch thick.

On a large tray lined with parchment paper, or cutting board, place two of the bacon slices down in a criss-cross pattern (or a large X). Place one burger patty onto the center of the bacon slice X, followed by a pineapple slice on top of the burger patty.

Fold the bacon slices up, and across, the burger and pineapple slice creating a criss-cross wrapping around the pineapple bacon burger. Secure the bacon slices by piercing a toothpick through the center of the burger patty where the bacon pieces cross over each other. This will keep the bacon pieces securely wrapped around the burgers while cooking.

Place the assembled pineapple bacon burger onto the prepared baking sheet and repeat steps 4 and 5 until all four burgers are assembled.

Bake the pineapple bacon burgers for 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the remaining 2 tablespoons of barbecue sauce over the bacon slices using a pastry brush. Return the burgers to the oven and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, for well-done, and the juices run clear. You can reduce your cooking time by 5-6 minutes for medium or medium well doneness. You can use an instant read thermometer to check your burgers for desired level of doneness.

Toast the burger buns, if desired, while the burgers are cooking.

Remove the baking sheet of pineapple bacon burgers from the oven and allow the burgers to rest for 5 minutes, on the baking sheet, before serving. The burger will continue to rise 3-5 degrees, and the juices will redistribute, ensuring a moist and juicy well-done pineapple bacon burger.

You can serve these pineapple bacon burgers just as they are on a burger bun or you can add a piece of leaf lettuce, or other toppings and condiments, that you prefer before serving.