Nutty Italian Burger for the Grill

Fire up the grill and elevate your burger game with this Nutty Italian Burger, a gourmet twist on a barbecue classic! Juicy ground beef and pork are combined with bold Italian flavors including grated Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and a subtly nutty crunch from toasted pine nuts. These patties are infused with garlic and Italian seasoning, then grilled to perfection and topped with creamy, melty fresh mozzarella. A dollop of vibrant basil pesto sauce and peppery arugula add a fresh finish, while toasted burger buns provide the ultimate base. Perfect for summer cookouts or weeknight dinners, this handcrafted burger recipe is a surefire crowd-pleaser that's both hearty and unique. Serve them up with crispy fries or grilled veggies for a complete Italian-inspired feast!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
• 0.5 pound Ground pork
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts (lightly toasted)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh basil leaves (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 units Burger buns
• 4 slices Fresh mozzarella (sliced)
• 0.25 cup Basil pesto sauce
• 1 cup Arugula (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, chopped basil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until all ingredients are evenly distributed; avoid overworking the mixture.

Step 3

Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty, roughly 1 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent puffing during grilling.

Step 4

Oil the grill grates lightly to prevent sticking. Place the patties on the preheated grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for medium doneness.

Step 5

During the last minute of grilling, place a slice of mozzarella on each patty to melt slightly. Toast the burger buns on the grill at the same time, if desired.

Step 6

Remove the patties and buns from the grill. Spread a generous layer of basil pesto sauce on the bottom half of each bun.

Step 7

Place the grilled patties on top of the sauced buns, then add a handful of arugula if using. Cover with the top bun and serve immediately.

Step 8

Enjoy your Nutty Italian Burger with a side of grilled vegetables or crispy fries!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1014.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2860.8

Total Fat 192.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 546.8mg	0%
Sodium 4465.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 106.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g	0%
Total Sugars 20.6g
Protein 166.6g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 673.8mg	0%
Iron 20.6mg	0%
Potassium 2190.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.3%

Protein: 23.6%

Carbs: 15.1%