Italian Meatball Smash Burger on Garlic Texas Toast

This Italian Burger has a meatball-inspired patty 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 oz) can tomato sauce
▢3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
▢3 tablespoons brown sugar
▢1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
▢pinch crushed red pepper
▢Torn basil leaves
Burgers:
▢2 slices 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:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato paste, beef stock and garlic. Saute for about a minute, then add in the tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, oregano and red pepper.
1/4 cup tomato paste,1/4 cup beef stock,2 cloves garlic,1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce,3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar,3 tablespoons brown sugar,1/2 teaspoon dried oregano,pinch crushed red pepper
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil then reduce the heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in the basil.
Torn basil leaves
make the burgers:
Place the bread in a bowl and add enough milk to soak the bread. Allow the bread to sit for a few minutes, then squeeze all excess milk out of the bread.
2 slices white bread,Milk
Place the bread in a large bowl and add the ground beef and ground pork. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the parsley, garlic, onion and Parmesan and gently mix, making sure to not overwork the meat.
1 pound ground beef,1/2 pound ground pork,Salt and pepper,1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley,2 cloves of garlic,3 tablespoons grated onion,1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Form the mixture into 4 large patties.
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.
Olive oil
In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Add the garlic and allow to cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
3 tablespoons butter,3 cloves garlic
Brush the outsides of each slice of bread with the garlic butter. Build four burgers, with the buttered sides facing out. Layer each with some of the balsamic marinara ketchup, a slice of mozzarella, a patty, a slice of provolone, and more ketchup. Place the burgers on the griddle and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.
8 slices of sturdy Italian-American bread,8 slices deli-cut mozzarella,8 slices deli-cut provolone
Recipe Notes:
source: Every Day with Rachael Ray July/August 2013
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1burger, Calories: 891kcal (45%), Carbohydrates: 72g (24%), Protein: 49g (98%), Fat: 47g (72%), Saturated Fat: 17g (106%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 127mg (42%), Sodium: 991mg (43%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 23g (26%)