Caprese Beef Patties w/a Balsamic Glaze Recipe

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Cravings.  They can be the bane of all existence, can't they?  The other day Studhubs was craving burgers, but I was craving pizza.  Neither of us was willing to give on the matter, so I decided to get creative and make these Caprese Beef Patties w/a Balsamic Glaze.  

Using only a few humble pantry items, this fun play on a caprese salad combines the juiciness of a great burger with the flavors of an amazing pizza.  I know you and your family are going to LOVE these, so...

Let's Get Started!

Caprese Beef Patties w/a Balsamic Glaze:
Prep Time: 5 min  *Cook Time: 20 min *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings:  4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 lb Ground Meat (I used Ground Beef)
• 1/2 c Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 ball of Mozzarella, sliced
• 1/4 c chopped Sun-dried Tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• Salt & Paper 
• 4 Tbsp Pesto Sauce

To begin pour the balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pan and turn the heat to medium.
Let the vinegar come to a simmer and reduce by at least half.

Next place the ground meat (I used beef, but you can use any kind of ground meat you want) into a mixing bowl.

One of the components of a Caprese Salad is tomato.  However, my husband in not a big fan of tomato. So I decided to add chopped, sun-dried tomato into the meat.  This will add the sweetness of the tomato without the texture and flavor my husband is not a fan of.  The end result was delicious.

Now you can add the Italian seasoning,

salt,

pepper,

garlic powder,

and onion powder.

Mix everything together in the mixing bowl and separate into four equal parts.

Take those four equal parts and make them in to meat patties.

After that, take your thumb and press a little well in the middle of each patty.
This will help with any shrinkage that may occur in the pan.

Place an oven-safe pan over medium/high heat and allow it to get smoking hot.
I prefer to use a cast iron skillet for this.
I will leave a link to the exact one I used right (HERE).

Now add the beef patties and let them cook for six minutes.

While they are cooking you can slice the ball of cheese into 4 equal parts.

Now flip the beef patties, cover, and allow to cook for six more minutes.

After six minutes you will uncover and add a tablespoon of pesto on top of each patty.
You can make your own, but I just used my favorite jarred version here.

(PS-I also drained the excess grease from my pan here.  You don't HAVE to do that, but I'm just not about that life right now.)

Place the cheese slices on top of each patty.

Now place under the broiler and allow to melt over each patty.

By now your vinegar has reduced and is nice and thick.

As you can see the half cup is now a mere 2 tablespoons.

Once the cheese has melted you are ready to go!

I like to top eat one of these Caprese Beef Patties w/a Balsamic Glaze with a dollop of pesto and a piece of sun-dried tomato, that way people know what is in them.  Then, I drizzle that balsamic glaze over everything.  PERFECTION!

Look at how stunning that plate looks!  I served them with some roasted asparagus and cauliflower rice pilaf.  The beef is super flavorful due to all of the spices we added, and the pesto with the balsamic glaze brings all of the flavors to life.  These Caprese Beef Patties w/a Balsamic Glaze satisfied both of our cravings and are now a personal family favorite.  So get in the kitchen and give them a try TONIGHT!

And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~

Caprese Beef Patties w/a Balsamic Glaze:
Prep Time: 5 min  *Cook Time: 20 min *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings:  4 servings
By:  Mandee Pogue aka The Kitchen Wife

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 lb Ground Meat (I used Ground Beef)
• 1/2 c Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 ball of Mozzarella, sliced
• 1/4 c chopped Sun-dried Tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• Salt & Paper 
• 4 Tbsp Pesto Sauce

Directions:

1. Pour the balsamic vinegar into a small sauce pan and place over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer and let reduce by at least half.  
2. In a mixing bowl combine the ground meat, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.  
3. Mixing everything together and separate into 4 equal arts. 
4. Make each part into a meat patty and take your thumb and press a little well in the center of each patty. 
5. Place an oven-safe pan over medium/high heat and allow to get smoking how.  
6. Add the beef patties and cook for 6 minutes.
7. After 6 minutes, flip the patties, cover, and cook another 6 minutes, 
8. Add the pesto, then mozzarella slices, to each patty.*
9. Place the patties under the broiler until the cheese has melted. 
10. Drizzle with the reduced balsamic vinegar. 
11. Serve and enjoy!  

*I drained the grease from my pan at this point, but you don't have to.