Pepperoni Studded Pizza Burgers

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tbsp. Just Like Home Kitchen Recipes® Zesty Tomato Basil & Cheese pasta sauce – (extra for topping if desired)
• 1 to 1¼ pound of 80/20 ground chuck
• 4 tbsp. chopped, cooked pepperoni (from the stick)
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper to taste (but go easy, pepperoni is salty)
• 8-10 pepperoni thinly sliced (from the stick) – divided
• 4 slices mozzarella cheese
• 4 Brioche buns
• 4 tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• Cook chopped pepperoni in a skillet until fat is rendered and it is crispy; remove to paper towel lined plate. Set aside, do the same for the sliced pepperoni.
• In a large bowl combine beef, chopped pepperoni, garlic powder, oregano, crushed red pepper flake, and salt and pepper.
• Form mixture into four patties.
• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Rub oil on grill.
• Grill burger for about 4 minutes per side, to desired doneness.
• Top each burger with a tbsp. of pasta sauce, 4-5 slices pepperoni, 1 slice of mozzarella cheese, and 4-5 more slices of pepperoni.
• Close grill and cook just until cheese melts.
• In the meantime, spread about a tbsp. of butter on each roll (top and bottom), and sprinkle with garlic powder and parmesan. Broil until it is golden brown. (You can also grill but I prefer the way it comes out better in the oven)
• Place a beautiful burger on top of each Brioche bun and have at it. You can add more sauce if you like.

Tip: If you prefer, you can use deli sliced pepperoni, we tested both ways and preferred the stick.