Peep's Italian Meatball "Burgers" & Sauce

lilbopeep

🌹🐰 Still trying to get it right.
Site Supporter
Peep's Italian Meatball "Burgers" & Sauce

≈1.5 lb. ground beef
1 lg. firm head/bulb fresh garlic, separated into cloves, divided
1 small to med. Yellow onion, divided
2 (0.25 oz.) clamshell/boxes fresh oregano, divided
1 (1.25 oz.) clamshell/box fresh basil, divided
1 egg
1/4 C. fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano & Pecorino Romano cheeses
Salt - to taste
Ground pepper - to taste
Dry basil rubbed - to taste
Dry oregano rubbed - to taste
Ground red pepper flakes - to taste
Plain bread crumbs - just enough to bind meat mixture
Vegetable oil for frying patties/burgers.
1 (15 oz.) plain tomato sauce (no herbs/spices added)
1 (8 oz.) plain tomato sauce (no herbs/spices added)
4 oz. burgundy wine
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil

Clean onion & garlic cloves of skins.
Wash & dry oregano & basil.
Using a mini chopper or knife chop all very finely.
Place 1/3 of each aside for the sauce.
Crack egg into lg. bowl and scramble (I use a lg. serving fork).
Add the grated cheese to the bowl.
Add 2/3's of onion, garlic, oregano & basil to the egg.
Season with salt, pepper, dry oregano, dry basil & red pepper flakes to taste. (I also add my all purpose house blend seasoning, to taste)
Mix well.
Add ground beef and gently mix together.
Add just enough bread crumbs to hold mixture together
DO NOT OVER WORK MEAT.
Portion meat into ≈7-8 equal balls (I use a disher)
then flatten into patties/burgers.
Heat cast iron skillet till very hot.
Add 1-2 TBSP. vegetable oil to skillet.
(I usually fry a small test patty to be sure seasoning is correct)
Fry patties/burgers till nicely browned on both sides.
Remove to plate with paper towel to drain.
Pat excess oil from pan leaving brown bits.
Add just enough olive oil to sauté onion and garlic till soft and fragrant.
Add both cans of sauce, wine, reserved fresh oregano & fresh basil, salt, pepper, dry oregano, dry basil & red pepper flakes to taste and a drizzle of olive oil . (I also add my all purpose house blend seasoning, to taste)
Bring to boil and scrape brown bits off pan.
Allow to gently boil 1 minute.
Taste and correct seasoning if needed.
Place patties/burgers in sauce and flip to coat in sauce.
Lower heat under skillet and allow to simmer 15 minutes (turning several times) or until internal temperature of meat is 155
°F.

Serve meatball "burgers" topped with fresh grated cheeses, rice or pasta and a vegetable.

meatball_burger_032619_IMG_5540.JPG
 
Last edited by a moderator:

QSis

Grill Master
Staff member
Gold Site Supporter
Looks incredible, Peep - thank you!

What's a "disher"?

Lee
 

Johnny West

Well-known member
We made meatballs today and recipe was quite similar to Peep’s except we used dried herbs, fresh ground pork and hamburger, no wine, and added dried currents. The meatballs were baked…. We got 108 meatballs.

3E9CF3F2-1ED0-4DA2-B6C5-AB2F1ABAA706.jpeg
859C7F8C-7167-4E42-98D7-A4ACDD6AE052.jpeg
27455A47-6BDB-4584-9090-AB638BB7104B.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Top