I wasn’t, and still am not sure what to actually call this sandwich because it is a replication of a meatball sub, but the meatballs are not round. They are flat like a burger patty. That’s why I call it an Italian burger. I think that is the light switch turning on, I hear, it’s a eureka for sure. The name once was meatball sandwich, but now you will see it being called Italian burger. I just needed to think out loud, well on the keyboard, I guess.
This recipe is really simple. Here are the ingredients and instructions.
Amazing Italian Burger
This Italian burger recipe is really simple to make. Here are the ingredients and instructions.
Ingredients
- 22 pieces hamburger buns - whole wheat
- 1 block Mozzarella cheese - sliced, you can also use provolone cheese
- 1 cup ketchup (tomato sauce Australia and UK) - warmed up homemade or store-bought sauce
INGREDIENTS FOR THE BURGER PATTIES:
- 1 pound ground turkey (minced turkey) - extra lean
- 1 pound ground chicken (minced chicken) - extra-lean
- 1 pound ground pork (minced pork) - lean
- 1 ½ tablespoons pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 ½ tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 2 medium eggs
- 1 handful parsley - freshly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic - minced very fine
- ½ teaspoon Sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¾ cup bread crumbs - whole wheat
INGREDIENTS FOR THE BURGER BREADING:
- 1 cup bread crumbs - whole wheat
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Gather all your ingredients and place all ground meats into a large bowl, trying to break it up a little.
- Place both kinds of cheese, bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, dijon mustard, sea salt and pepper into the bowl.
- Whisk both eggs in a small dish and pour them into the bowl as well. Mix all the ingredients of the burger patties together until everything is well blended. The mixture should hold well together when you roll it in your hands.
- I used a size 16 scoop to portion the mixture into equal size burgers.
- Scoop out a spoon full of the mixture, roll it in your hands, then lightly flatten it.
- On a plate, blend bread crumbs, parmesan and pecorino cheese, blend it together.
- Take the flattened burger and press it gently into the bread crumb mixture on both sides, place it on the baking sheet and repeat until finished.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake it for 10-12 minutes, remove from oven and flip over, place it back into the oven and bake it for another 12-15 minutes till fully cooked, juices run clear, and they are a nice golden brown color.
- While the burgers are baking, prepare the bread, tomato sauce and cheese. I used whole wheat bread buns. You can use whatever you like or have on hand.
- I like to toast the buns lightly and place a few slices of either provolone cheese or mozzarella cheese on the bun. Once the burgers are done, place a burger onto each bun top with tomato sauce, a slice of cheese, sprinkle with parmesan or pecorino, a dash of black pepper and top with the top burger bun. Serve warm.
- You could always place the burger back in the oven for a few minutes under broil just to melt the cheese a little, but watch it carefully not to burn, and make sure to take the top of the burger bun off while doing this.
Notes
I use a few when I make them and then freeze the rest in an airtight container that is freezer friendly for another day of quick and easy dinner nights.
Nutrition
Calories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 14gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 203mgPotassium: 274mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg
How did this recipe turn out for you?We’re eager to hear your thoughts!