Even with daytime temperatures that are still into the low 80s, it is inevitable that fall is approaching. It becomes apparent when Eric goes outside around 6:30pm to grill dinner and darkness is falling by the time the grill has cooled down enough to cover. Since we can’t ever manage to start making dinner at 5pm, I guess we are going to have to deal with grilling in the twilight hours!
Despite the shortening days, our grill is still going strong. We tried out a new burger recipe the other night. Kelly has long been a fan of mixing beef & pork for burgers. I’m okay with those, but I prefer the turkey burgers we make to the beef & pork combo. The twist on the beef & pork combo in this burger recipe is using Italian sausage instead of plain ground pork. How can you go wrong with that?!
Italian Sausage Burgers (inspired by Kraft Recipes)
Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 27 minutes Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
Heat the grill to medium heat. Combine the 3 cheeses in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, mix the sausage meat, beef, 2/3 cup of the cheese mixture and the egg until well combined.
The meats & some of the cheese are combined with the egg to make the burgers.
Shape into 4 slightly flattened patties with a small indentation in the middle of each. Set the burgers aside and prepare the dressing.
The recipe is easily doubled to make more servings.
Combine the balsamic vinegar with the salt, pepper, garlic and Dijon mustard then add in the olive oil, whisking vigorously to combine. Add this dressing to the remaining cheese mixture along with the sliced basil. Set the cheese & dressing mixture aside until the burgers are cooked.
We put together our own balsamic vinaigrette dressing since we always have the ingredients on hand, but feel free to use 3 tablespoons of a bottled balsamic vinaigrette dressing if you prefer.
Grill the burgers for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 160ºF. Toast the cut sides of the buns on the grill for the last minute of cooking time, if desired. Fill the buns with the burgers and add the cheese & dressing mixture. Add in lettuce & tomatoes, if desired.
This is an Italian burger!
The days may be getting shorter but the grill isn’t retiring to the shed just yet! ~Linda
Italian Sausage Burgers (inspired by Kraft Recipes)
Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 27 minutes Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
Heat the grill to medium heat. Combine the 3 cheeses in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, mix the sausage meat, beef, 2/3 cup of the cheese mixture and the egg until well combined. Shape into 4 slightly flattened patties with a small indentation in the middle of each. Set the burgers aside and prepare the dressing.
Combine the balsamic vinegar with the salt, pepper, garlic and Dijon mustard then add in the olive oil, whisking vigorously to combine. Add the dressing to the remaining cheese mixture along with the sliced basil. Set the cheese & dressing mixture aside until the burgers are cooked.
Grill the burgers for 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 160ºF. Toast the cut sides of the buns on the grill for the last minute of cooking time, if desired.
Fill the buns with the burgers and add the cheese & dressing mixture. Add in lettuce & tomatoes, if desired.