The Italian burger

The Italian burger. Recipe (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times / June 30, 2012)

June 30, 2012

"There is no better turkey burger than my flavor-packed, juicy, Taste of Italy Turkey Burger. It brings together all of the flavors that we love in Italian cooking and packs it into a burger. Then it's surrounded with even more great tastes from the heart and soul of Mediterranean cooking. Basil, oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, pecorino Romano cheese, among others fill the patty while I surround it with rich, hearty pasta sauce, provolone cheese, mushrooms and kalamata olives. With each bite you think you're in your favorite Italian restaurant or sitting on a balcony in a villa overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean along the Amalfi coast. Enjoy it with your favorite glass of wine, a little pasta or fresh grilled summer vegetables. Buon appetito!"

— George Levinthal, Goleta, Calif.

Taste of Italy turkey burger

Total time: About 1 hour

Servings: 6

Note: From George Levinthal of Goleta, Calif. Prepared tomato-basil pasta sauce is generally available at most markets.

Turkey burgers

2 pounds ground turkey, a combination of white and dark meat

1/4 red onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon plus 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon plus 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh oregano

1 egg

1/3 cup tomato-basil pasta sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes

3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs