Zesty Italian Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 8 slices pancetta
• 4 ounces basil pesto  (or make your own!)
• 1 large ball smoked mozzarella
• 1 red onion, cut into thin rounds
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• Baby arugula
• ripe tomato slices
• 4 ciabatta buns

Instructions

• Heat the grill to high. Divide the ground beef into 4 portions. Salt and pepper the patties. Layer each patty with a slice of pancetta on top and bottom. Press the pancetta into each patty.
• Cut the onion and mozzarella into rounds. Melt the butter and mix it with the tomato paste and anchovy paste. Cut the ciabatta buns and brush the insides with tomato-butter.
• Carefully brush the grill with oil or use non-stick grill spray. Grill the patties and onions at the same time. Grill the patties for 3-5 minutes per side and the onions for 1-2 minutes per side.
• Once you flip the burgers, lay the onion rounds over the top of each patty, followed by the mozzarella slices. The cheese will melt while the burgers finish cooking.
• Place the buns on the open grill and toast for 1 minute. Once the buns are toasted, slather them with pesto. Layer arugula leaves, tomato slices and a patty on each bun. Top and serve!

Notes

Basic Pesto Ingredients (if making pesto from scratch): 

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and pecorino in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.