Spicy Italian Sausage Blended Burger

This crazy flavorful burger gets some good-for-you brownie points for including roasted mushrooms and sauteed kale, a tribute to the Blended Burger Project™. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort, spearheaded by the James Beard Foundation, to lighten up burgers without sacrificing juiciness or taste.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 26 mins
• Total Time: 46 mins
• Calories: 599 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 2 cups chopped kale
• 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
• 1 teaspoon harissa (Optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cremini mushrooms
• 4 slices smoked mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup marinara sauce, warmed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place mushrooms in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a roasting pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil on top and mix. Sprinkle with salt.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Step 4

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add kale; cook and stir until just wilted, 2 to 4 minutes. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Transfer kale to the food processor; pulse until finely chopped.

Step 6

Combine mushrooms, kale, Italian sausage, and harissa in a bowl; mix together by hand. Form into 4 patties, taking care not to pack them too firmly.

Step 7

Heat an oven-safe grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties; cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip.

Step 8

Transfer grill pan to the oven and continue cooking until second side is browned, about 8 minutes. Place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each patty and broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute.

Step 9

Serve patties on toasted buns with marinara sauce.