Deluxe Combo Pizza Burgers

Pairs well with:

White Zinfandel

With strawberry and melon essences, this American original is perfectly at home with however you like to unwind.

My family loves both hamburgers and pizza, so I decided to combine the two.It’s a win-win situation!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups crimini mushrooms, sliced

PIZZA SAUCE
3/4 cup tomatoes
1 teaspoon fresh oregano
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

BURGERS
1 1/2 pounds 20% ground chuck
1/3 cup onions
1/3 pound hot italian sausage
2 tablespoons fresh oregano
2 tablespoons fresh basil
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt

Vegetable oil for grill

BUNS
6 kaiser buns
2 tablespoons olive oil

6 slices provolone cheese
6 slices green bell peppers
30 pieces pepperoni

6 tablespoons blue cheese salad dressing
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded

6 leaves of romaine lettuce
18 black olives, sliced in thirds

Instructions:

.When the skillet is hot, add the butter to melt. Add the mushroom slices to the skillet to cook, stirring occasionally to keep from burning. Cook the mushrooms until soft and slightly golden, about 10 minutes. Keep warm.

Place tomatoes, 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh basil, 1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, red pepper flakes, and brown sugar in bowl of blender. Process until nearly smooth, about 30 seconds. Set aside, keeping chilled until ready to use.

To make the patties: Place chuck in large bowl, add onion, sausage, 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, 2 tablespoons fresh basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, and salt and gently combine using a wooden spoon or paddle. Shape into 6 patties to fit buns, handling as little as possible.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the grill, cover, and cook, turning after 5 minutes, and continuing until done to preference, 4 to 6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160F on an instant-read thermometer.

Meanwhile, open buns and brush cut sides with oil. During the last 3 minutes of grilling, place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill to toast lightly. Also, Top each patty with 1 slice of Provolone cheese and 1 ring of bell pepper. Add pepperoni slices to skillet and cook until heated, turning after about 1 minute.

To assemble the burgers, spread 1 tablespoon blue cheese dressing on cut side of each bun bottom. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese on dressing, followed by a lettuce leaf, then a grilled patty. Top each patty with 5 slices pepperoni, 1/6th of saute’d mushrooms, then 9 slices of olive. Spread Pizza Sauce on tops of buns, dividing equally. Place bun tops on burgers. Serve immediately. Yummmm!