Food & Recipes

Ricotta-Stuffed Burger

get ready for sensory overload

This baby takes on all the senses, and will make your taste buds dance.  Before you see a thing, you’ll be tempted by the scent of reduced balsamic vinegar.  You’ll hear the sizzle of the grill, and your heart will flutter in the first bite.  As the juices drip down your arm, you will no doubt experience food rapture.  Enjoy.

cooking information

• Yield: 12 Burgers
• Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 12 minutes

all ingredients

• 3 lbs Ground Beef
• 1-2 Cups Fresh Ricotta
• 3 Cups Balsamic Vinegar
• 3 Roma Tomatoes
• Salt/ Pepper
• 12 Dinner Rolls If you’re in Cincinnati, Servatii’s knots are the best.

recipe instruction

1. Preheat your grill.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine your ground beef, salt, and pepper. Form into 12 equal 4-ounce burgers. Set aside in the cooler.

3. In a sauté pan, add your balsamic vinegar. Turn to high heat. Cook until the vinegar has reduced by half and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Set aside.

4. Next, prepare your tomatoes and rolls. Slice your bun in half; slice your tomatoes into ½-¼ inch thick slices. Set aside.

5. Finally, holding one at a time, create a well within each burger. Add a hearty tablespoon of fresh ricotta to the center of the burger. Pull the sides of the burger up so the cheese is completely covered by the meat.

6. Add the burgers to your hot grill. Let cook on the first side 7 minutes. Do not press or play with the meat. Once it’s cooked on the first side, flip and let finish cooking for 4-5 minutes on the second side.

7. To assemble your burgers, add your slice of tomato to the bottom, then your burger, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction with the top of the bun.

8. Serve and enjoy!

cooking tips

• I like to use buttery sandwich rolls for my burgers instead of a traditional bun. It ups your game in its presentation and also ads just the right sweet taste.
• The ricotta can be formed in the burger in advanced and stored in the refrigerator. The balsamic vinegar can be reduced ahead of time, as well as the tomatoes be sliced in advance. Cook just when the guests come and enjoy your meal!
• If you have a super hot grill or a lot of flame-ups, place tin foil directly on your grill so your burgers don’t become brickettes.