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Juicy Lucy Meatball Burger

Here's how you make Juicy Lucy Meatball Burger
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  • Servings: 4
  • Prep: 15m
  • Cook: 15-20m
  • The following recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • 1 1/2 pounds meatball mix (beef, veal, and pork)
  • 1/2 cup parsley, flat-leaf, chopped
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan, grated, plus more for the topping
  • 2 tablespoons fennel seed, ground (I use a coffee grinder to do this)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 slices mozzarella
  • 8 slices pancetta, thin (about 3 1/2 ounces)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 4 sesame seed hamburger buns
  • 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • Step 1: Preheat the broiler.

  • Step 2: Mix the meatball mix, parsley, Parmesan, fennel, 4 of the garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of pepper in a large bowl. Divide the mixture into 4 equal balls. Working with one ball at a time, divide it in half and flatten to make 2 patties about 5 inches in diameter. Fold 2 slices of mozzarella into quarters and place into the center of the patty. Top with the other patty and press meat together very tightly, forming a large patty shape with the cheese secured inside. Repeat with the remaining balls and 6 of the cheese slices. (At this point, you can freeze the burgers. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.)

  • Step 3: Cook the pancetta in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, flipping once, until the fat has released and it’s crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add the burgers to the pan and cook, flipping once and topping each patty with 1 slice of the remaining cheese with 1 minute of cooking time left. Cook until nicely golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 150 degrees F for medium, 4 to 5 minute per side.

  • Step 4: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl and stir in the remaining garlic. Place the hamburger buns onto a baking sheet and brush both sides with the garlic butter. Broil until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons marinara sauce on each bottom half of the buns. Place a burger patty on top of the bottom half of the bun. Then top each burger with a spoonful of marinara, 2 pieces of pancetta, a sprinkle of Parmesan and the top half of the bun.


We hope you enjoy this recipe!

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