Watching Rachael Ray

Tonight, we decided to make the Meatza Pizza burgers that we found in Rachael Ray Top 30 30-Minute Meals, Kid Food. I included the recipe after the ‘more’ tag for those who want it.

Prep for this was ridiculously easy, and I don’t think it qualifies as a 30 minute meal, as the burgers can be pulled together in about 20 or so. I did use ground chorizo sausage mixed up with the ground beef, and dried spices (all but the minced garlic I had on hand. Jarred.) - but fresh wouldn’t have taken much longer at all.

We did discover a problem, however. Our burgers fell apart before we could flip them. Not sure if it’s because of the moistness of the sausage, or what, but they started to crumble. So! Being the industrious mom that I am, we just let them crumble, and tossed the mixture into the pot with our Rice a Roni cheesy rice we were having with the burgers. All mixed up together it was like a psuedo hamburger helper with a TON of taste.

In fact, I’ve never seen my 8 year old clean her plate so fast! It also got my nephews and niece’s seal of approval!

So - Meatza Pizza burgers (turned crumble with Cheesy Rice a Roni)? A total win all the way around! And now that they’re back outside playing, I can plop the rest of the crumbled burger/chorizo mixture onto a bun and munch away happily. Ha!

(Sorry no picture - the kids wanted to go watch a ball game, so we were in a hurry and I forgot.)

Meatza Pizza Burgers
3/4 lb extra lean ground beef
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 lb chopped chorizo sausage or pepperoni
chopped fresh oregano, to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
black pepper, to taste
4 slices provolone cheese
romaine lettuce
1 firm tomato, sliced
4 rolls (try to find round, crusty, sesame-seeded ones)

Combine ground beef, tomato paste, chorizo or pepperoni, oregano, garlic, and pepper. Form into 4 patties.

Now it’s time to cook the burgers. Ray’s directions are for grilling: cook burgers for 5 minutes on each side over medium-high gas heat or charcoal. But I bet you can just pan fry them or pop them on an indoor grill.

In the last minute, melt a slice of provolone on each burger. Serve with romaine lettuce and slice tomato on crusty rolls.

Rachael, Ray, Rachael Ray, 30 minute meals, RR, TV, a day, Food Network, Everyday, Meatza Pizza