Yield: 2 burgers

Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Burger Bombs

Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Burger Bombs

Ingredients

For Burgers:

  • 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb. ground spicy italian sausage
  • 1 packet Knorr Pesto Mix
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • coarse ground black pepper

For Cheese Filling:

  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened in microwave
  • 2 Tbl. finely grated fresh or purchased ground parmesan cheese
  • 4 fresh basil leaves, rolled and finely sliced
  • 1/2 tsp. fresh dried oregano leaves (crushed between your fingers), or purchased
  • 1/2 tsp. minced dried onion
  • 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 tsp. garlic salt

Quick Pizza Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 tsp. oregano
  • 1/16 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1/16 tsp. sugar
  • 1/16 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 fresh basil leaf, rolled and thinly sliced

Rest of Ingredients:

  • 2 kale leaves, torn to size
  • 6 thick slices fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 16-18 slices slices pepperoni
  • 1/2 of a 1 lb. loaf Rhodes frozen bread dough, thawed overnight, (*make breadsticks, rolls or hot dog buns out of rest of dough)
  • 2 Tbl. melted butter
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Instructions

  • The night before, spray a frozen bread dough loaf with no-stick spray, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and place in fridge to thaw overnight.
  • In large mixing bowl, mix together burger ingredients, except pepper, until well incorporated but don't over mix. Cover and chill.
  • In medium bowl, mix together filling ingredients.
  • In small bowl, stir together the sauce ingredients. Cover and chill.
  • Divide burger meat into fourths, making 2 parts slightly larger. On baking sheet, flatten into 4 patties.
  • Place half of filling onto larger patties to within a 1/2 or so of the edges. Place smaller patties on top, smooth up edges to seal. Hold patty in your hand and make sure all edges are very well sealed.
  • Sprinkle tops with coarse ground black pepper.
  • Heat grill to medium heat, oil grates, and place patties onto grill. Grill each side for 8 minutes. Remove to plate and loosely cover. Place in fridge to cool down.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Take a 4th of the bread dough, and pull and stretch into a 6" circle. Place a fourth of the sauce onto center, then top with a thick fresh mozzarella slice, 4-5 slices of pepperoni, grilled burger, a fourth more sauce and a kale leaf.
  • Bring sides of bread dough up and over the burger and pinch seams closed, (giving it a little twist helps). Turn oven and place seam side-down onto sprayed baking sheet.
  • Brush top and sides with garlic butter.
  • Top with 4 more slices pepperoni, and two thick slices fresh mozzarella torn into pieces.
  • Repeat making a second burger.
  • Pop into preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes until golden browned, crispy and hollow-sounding when tapped.