Italian Hamburgers

I am pretty traditional when it comes to my burgers. I typically love my burgers one of two ways: I love them topped with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, fried onion strings and barbeque sauce or, I love them with mustard, mayo, ketchup, sweet pickles, tomato slices and lettuce. Either way, I want mine on a toasted sesame seed bun.

However, sometimes I get in the mood to try a different type of burger. I was in one of these moods a few weeks ago so I combined my love of good Italian food with my love of a good burger and came up with my Italian Hamburgers. The burger part is pretty much a squished meatball but I think it’s the toppings take this over the top.

I hope you come to love my version of an Italian Hamburger! Since this one isn’t cooked on the grill, it will work year around. (Although, since I have been known to grill out in the snow, I’m certainly not going to tell anyone that they can’t grill out in the winter!)

Italian Hamburgers

Depending on the size of your patties, you will get four to six servings from this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion, grated or very finely chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 1/4 pound ground meat (use beef, chicken, turkey or meatloaf mix)
• ciabatta rolls
• butter for rolls
• garlic powder or fresh clove of garlic cut in half
• provolone or mozzarella cheese slices
• marinara sauce
• tomato slices
• basil leaves
• roasted red peppers

Combine onion, egg, parsley, parmesan, 2 cloves minced garlic, salt, pepper, basil, Italian breadcrumbs and milk (and red pepper flakes if using) in a large mixing bowl. Add the ground meat and mix with your hands until combined.

Form 4-6 patties. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or brown in a large skillet for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through.

To assemble:

Split ciabatta rolls. If using fresh garlic, rub sliced clove over each slice and then spread with softened butter. If using garlic powder, spread the inside of each side with softened butter and sprinkle with garlic powder. Broil rolls, cut and buttered side up in the oven 6 inches under the broiler. Keep the oven door cracked and watch the rolls closely so they don’t burn. It will only take a minute or two to brown.

Remove browned rolls from oven and spoon a little marinara sauce on each side. Top the bottom half of each roll with a burger patty and then a slice of cheese. Return bottom halves to the broiler until cheese has melted.

Remove from oven and top burger with cheese half with a little more marinara sauce, a slice of tomato, two basil leaves and one or two pieces of roasted red pepper. Top with the top half of the roll.

Serve with a side salad with vinaigrette for a perfect, Italian twist on a hamburger.

Mangiare. Mangiare.

Sweetest Blessings,
LeAnn