OMG Meatball Patty Melts

A meatball becomes a patty melt in this change-up idea for burger night. A meatball patty is served up on garlic buttered bread with a tangy Balsamic Marinara Ketchup and plenty of cheese.

INGREDIENTS

Balsamic Marinara Ketchup:
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup beef stock
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• Torn basil leaves
Burgers:
• 2 slices of white bread, crusts removed
• Milk (for soaking bread)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons grated onion
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 slices of sturdy Italian-American bread, sliced 3/4-inch thick
• 8 slices deli-cut mozzarella
• 8 slices deli-cut provolone

 

INSTRUCTIONS

make the ketchup:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato paste, beef stock and garlic. Add in the tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, oregano and red pepper. Bring to a gentle boil then reduce heat. Stir in the basil and then let cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
make the burgers:
2. Place the bread in a bowl and add enough milk to soak the bread. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then squeeze all excess milk out of the bread.
3. Place the bread in a large bowl and add the ground beef and ground pork and season with salt and pepper. Add in the parsley, garlic, onion and Parmesan and gently mix. Form the mixture into 4 large patties.
4. Heat a grill pan or an outdoor grill over medium high heat. Drizzle olive oil over the patties and then cook, turning once, until cooked, about 10 minutes.
5. In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the garlic and allow to cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
6. Brush the outsides of each slice of bread with the garlic butter. Build four sandwiches, with the buttered sides facing out. Layer each with some of the Balsamic Marinara Ketchup, mozzarella, a patty, provolone, and more ketchup. Place the burgers on the griddle and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.