Italian Style Mouthwatering Meatball Burgers

Ingredients: Meatball Patties

1 1/2lb. ground beef ( 15% )
1/3lb. sweet Italian sausage
3-4 cloves fresh garlic ( about 2 tbsp. )
1/4 green pepper ( small dice )
1/4 red pepper ( small dice )
1/4 onion ( small dice )
1 teas. salt
1/2 teas. pepper
1 teas. dry oregano
1/2 teas. dry basil
1 tbsp. dry parsley
1/2 cup breadcrumbs ( plain )

Method: Meatball Patties

Simply add everything to a large mixing bowl and mix to combine using your hands. Try not to over mix as this will make your patties tough. Divide your mixture into 8 equal portions and form into patties.

Cook in a skillet or on the grill using medium high heat for about 3 minutes per side. Your patties are now ready for the oven.

Ingredients: Marinara Sauce

1 15-20 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1 teas. salt
1/2 teas. pepper
1 teas. dry organo
1/2 teas. dry basil
2 teas. dry parsley
2 teas. onion powder
1 teas. garlic powder
OR, your favorite jar spaghetti sauce

Method: Marinara Sauce

Combine all ingredients into a amall sauce pan, bring to a boil covered. Once your sauce reaches a boil, turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes. This will allow the flavors to blend. Your sauce is ready.
(If you’re using your favorite jarred spaghetti sauce you can skip this step) .

Ingredients: Meatball Burgers

8 cooked meatball patties
30-40 thin sliced pieces of pepperoni ( about 3-4 oz. )
marinara sauce
8 good quality hamburger buns ( I’m using potato buns )
8 thick slices of mozzarella, provolone or jack cheese

Method: Meatball Bugers

Spread about 6 to 8 oz. ( for 4 burgers ) of your marinara sauce into the bottom of a baking or casserole dish and place your patties on top of the sauce. You might need 2 baking dishes. Arrange your cheese an pepperoni on top of the burgers. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and pepperoni starts to get crispy.

Arrange your buns on a sheet pan and place in your oven when the burgers are about half way through their cook time. This will insure the patties and buns will be done at the same time.

When your patties are done and the buns are toasted remove them from the oven and spoon some of the sauce onto both the tops and bottoms of the buns. Place a burger on it, close it up and dig in!