Italian Pizza Burger

15 minutes Prep Time
30 minutes Cook Time
4 Servings

This lean beef burger is flavorful and juicy! A red wine tomato sauce tops the gourmet burger along with melted mozzarella cheese. Serve open face on garlic toast or on garlic toasted buns! So delicious; you’ll consider serving these at your next dinner party!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 1/4 ounces sliced pepperoni, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can Tuttorosso® Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained, juice reserved
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, divided
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 3 tablespoons Tuttorosso® Tomato Paste
  • 6 slices garlic bread, or ciabatta buns

Instructions

Step one

Toast garlic bread according to package directions. Set aside.

Step two

In a small skillet, add olive oil, onion, garlic and pepperoni. Cook 3-4 minutes over medium high heat. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.

Step three

In a large mixing bowl combine egg, milk and bread crumbs. Add ground beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, crushed red pepper, crushed fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Add 1/3 cup of the onion and pepperoni mixture and 1/2 cup drained petite diced tomatoes. Gently blend with clean hands until combined. Shape into 6 equal sized patties, about a half inch thick. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Step four

To make the sauce add remaining onion and pepperoni mixture back to your skillet. Over medium heat add the wine and simmer to reduce by half. Add 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, tomato paste and stir to combine. Add in remaining diced tomatoes and reserved liquid. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step five

Preheat oven broiler to high.

Step six

In a non-stick skillet over medium heat add 3-4 burgers (depending on your skillet size, you don’t want to overcrowd), cook for 7 minutes, gently flip and cook an additional 7 minutes or until internal temperature reads 160º. Remove to a plate and tent with foil to keep them warm. Cook remaining burgers. Burgers can be grilled or cooked in a grill pan if you wish.

Step seven

To build, place the garlic bread on a sheet tray (or buns), top each slice of bread with a burger and spoon a couple of tablespoons of tomato sauce over the top. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes to melt cheese. Carefully remove and serve.

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