Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Burgers Recipes

PESTO HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Shape beef into four 3/4-in.-thick patties. Season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook patties over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes on each side. , Top each burger with a slice of cheese, 2 tablespoons pesto and pepper strips. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Serve on buns.

FRESH MOZZARELLA-STUFFED PESTO BURGERS WITH PESTO-MAYO, RED ONION, LETTUCE & TOMATO

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, mix dry pesto mixes into hamburger well. I add a little ground beef at a time, broken up, and sprinkle a little of each of the mixes evenly across, a fourth at a time, for easier mixing.
• Shape into 8 thin patties, (they will be large). *I do this onto 2 large cookie sheets lined with foil. (Make sure edges are nice and smooth, not cracked).
• Top 4 patties with 2-3 thick slices of mozzarella cheese evenly, in the center, within 1/2" to edge. Top each with the remaining patties and seal edges very well. Place all onto one of the sheets and take out to the grill.
• Sprinkle tops with fresh ground black pepper and Montreal Steak Seasoning.
• In very small bowl, mix mayo and jarred pesto sauce for spreading later.
• Grill burgers, approximately 14-16 minutes total, turning once, or until burgers are done, over medium grill. *Do not press or flatten burgers with spatula, you will squeeze out all of the good juices, separate the patties, and lose half the cheese, too!
• When burgers are just about done, grill buns lightly. Spread inside top rolls with pesto mayo, place a nice bed of lettuce onto bottom buns, top with burgers.
• Top each with sliced tomato and red onion. Place on tops and enjoy! *Easiest eaten sliced in half. (*Leftover burgers reheat well in microwave on low, too.)

PESTO & MOZZARELLA-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium heat.
• Mix meat, 2 Tbsp. pesto sauce and garlic just until blended; shape into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) patties. Combine 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1 Tbsp. of the remaining pesto sauce; spoon onto centers of 4 patties. Top with remaining patties; pinch edges together to seal.
• Grill 5 to 7 min. on each side or until done (160°F). Top with remaining mozzarella; grill 1 to 2 min. or until melted.
• Mix mayo, Parmesan and remaining pesto sauce until blended; spread onto bottom halves of rolls. Cover with burgers and tops of rolls.

MOLTEN CHEESE-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion with a good pinch of salt for 15 mins until soft and translucent. Add the pancetta and cook for 5 mins more, then add the garlic and thyme, and cook for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 15 mins.
• Tip the mince into a large bowl. Massage with your hands for 5 mins to tenderise the meat, then add the cooled onion mix, the breadcrumbs and egg yolk. Season generously. Divide evenly into four, weighing for accuracy, if you like. Mix the cheddar and mozzarella together. Form the beef portions into patties, patting each into a 10cm round. Divide the cheese mixture into four, and, in your hands, form each portion into a firm ball, then press into a roughly 4cm disc. Working one at a time, put a cheese disc into the centre of a beef patty, then bring the meat around the cheese to cover. Lightly pat with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly, then chill, covered, for at least 30 mins or up to 48 hrs.
• Make the sauce by whizzing the mayonnaise, mustard and herbs together in a small food processor. Stir through the gherkins, then cover and chill until ready to use.
• Light the barbecue. When the flames have died down, grill the burgers on each side for 4-5 mins until charred (if you don't have a barbecue, see tip, below). Wrap individually in foil and leave on the barbecue for 5-7 mins so the cheese centre melts.
• Grill the buns, cut-side down, for 1-2 mins until toasted. Spread all the cut sides with the sauce, then fill with the beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes and crispy onions.

PESTO-MOZZARELLA TURKEY BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the steak sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into eight thin oval patties. , Combine cheese and pesto. Spoon about 1/4 cup in center of four patties. Top with remaining patties; press edges firmly to seal., Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165° and juices run clear. Serve on bread with lettuce.

MOZZARELLA-STUFFED PESTO TURKEY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Place the ground turkey, onion, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, parsley, pesto, milk, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 3/4-inch meatballs. Make a hole in the meatball with your finger and place a cheese cube in the hole. Seal the meatball around the cheese and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the meatballs.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes. Heat the marinara sauce in a saucepan over low heat. Bring to a simmer, and place the baked meatballs in the marinara sauce for about 2 minutes.

TUSCAN BURGERS WITH PESTO MAYO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons pesto; cover and chill until serving. In a large bowl, combine the pancetta, pepper, salt and remaining pesto. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into four patties., Brush onion and tomato slices with oil. Grill onion over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until crisp-tender. Grill tomato for 1-2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned., Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear., Top burgers with mozzarella cheese. Grill 1 minute longer or until cheese is melted. Spread cut sides of rolls with pesto mayonnaise; top with burgers, onion, tomato and arugula.