Italian Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Juicy, savory and bursting with cheesy goodness these Italian cheese stuffed burgers are a delicious twist on a classic! Two seasoned ground beef patties are stuffed with rich mozzarella cheese, grilled to perfection and then topped with a tomato mixture that is irresistible and a must for grilling season!

Years ago, I remember thinking Italians don’t eat hamburgers. Then two weeks after my arrival in Italy I was served these Italian cheese stuffed burgers for secondo piatto (second plate). The seasoned ground beef patties were the perfect fusion of Italian and American cuisines with juicy beef and rich Italian cheese. 

Today these hot off the grill juicy burgers are a summertime must and while I love Parmesan crusted burgers and even tuna burgers, these up the ante by being stuffed with mozzarella cheese. Whether you’re grilling out with friends or looking for a hearty and satisfying dinner, these burgers are a tasty and indulgent option that are irresistible! 

While the season doesn’t pass us by without making other Italian favorites such as pasta salad with fresh summer vegetables, grilled zucchini lasagna or grilling pizza dough for the best pizza, a burger night every now and then is still a family favorite! Of course it only gets better when followed by a slice of one of these tiramisu recipes for dessert. 

Why You Will Love These Italian Stuffed Burgers

• Cheese stuffed: Melty mozzarella is the perfect cheese to make stuffed Italian burgers! You can never go wrong with stuffing cheese into just about anything like this stuffed meatloaf!
• Versatile cooking methods: While grilling burgers is delicious, when the weather is not cooperating use an indoor BBQ grill or the stovetop for equally delicious results. 
• Tomato topping: This is such an easy way to add so much great flavor! The topping is similar to Italian bruschetta and is the perfect condiment. 
• Protein packed: With both beef and mozzarella these burgers pack a protein punch at 33g!

Ingredients Needed

• Ground beef: I prefer quality ground chuck that is 80% lean. This 80/20 ratio of lean ground beef ensures juicy, beefy burger results.
• Egg: One large egg helps bind the Italian cheese stuffed burgers together.
• Cracker crumbs: I prefer crackers over plain breadcrumbs as they add more flavor and help lock in the natural fat and juices of the meat.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds another layer of cheesy goodness. 
• Italian seasoning: This gives the stuffed burgers Italian taste.
• Firm mozzarella: Freshly shredded firm mozzarella cheese is best to stuff your burger. 
• Tomato topping: For the topping you will need 2 medium tomatoes, fresh basil, oregano, salt and olive oil. 

Variations

• Diced prosciutto: Add finely diced prosciutto to the beef mixture, it not only adds salty flavor but moisture too. 
• Fresh herbs: To the meat mixture add some fresh chopped parsley or basil. 
• Low carb: Skip the bun and serve it with tomato topping over a bed of lettuce. 
• Serve on ciabatta: Skip the traditional bun and serve on slices of this easy no knead ciabatta bread. 

How to Make Italian Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Start by combining the cracker crumbs, Parmesan and Italian seasoning in a small bowl then set aside.

Next, add your ground beef, half the cracker mixture and egg to a large bowl. Use a spoon or damp hands to combine.

Form the beef mixture into 8 patties and add a quarter of the shredded mozzarella to the middle of 4 patties then top each one with the remaining 4 patties. You should now have 4 burgers. 

Gently press down on each burger and seal the edges so the cheese does not escape then dredge each patty in the leftover cracker crumb mixture and place on a plate. 

Lightly oil your grill, BBQ or skillet over medium heat and cook the burgers for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Flip only once to ensure your burgers stay juicy.

While the burgers are grilling, prepare the tomato topping by placing all ingredients in a bowl and stirring to combine. 

Once the burgers have reached an internal temperature of 160°F or your desired doneness, remove from the grill and immediately top with the extra grated mozzarella. Top with the tomato topping and enjoy! 

Topping Options for Mozzarella Stuffed Burgers

While I love these Italian stuffed burgers topped simply with extra mozzarella and the savory tomato topping there are so many more options!

• Marinara sauce
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Grilled onions
• Avocado
• Crispy bacon
• Spinach or Arugula
• Sliced olives
• Hot sauce
• Pesto
• Mayonnaise 
• Instead of mozzarella, substitute with gruyere, fontina, goat cheese or even provolone.

Expert Tips

• Sides: An Italian meal needs to have balance, so the addition of a vegetable rounds out this meaty dinner. Try Parmesan roasted asparagus, zucchini patties or go all out with some crispy onion rings! 
• Use your hands: The best way to combine the meat mixture is to use your hands. This ensures that you don’t over mix it which leads to dense compact burgers.
• Meat thermometer: A meat thermometer is best when testing the mozzarella burgers for doneness. For medium rare beef the temperature should read 145°F, 160°F for medium and 170°F for well done.
• Don’t overcook: Your Italian stuffed burger will continue to cook after removing from the grill, so I recommend removing it before the desired temperature is reached. As it rests, it will rise the remaining degrees.
• Juicy burgers: For the juiciest burgers, be careful not to press down on the burgers while they are cooking and flip only once.

Recipe FAQs

What are Italian burgers made of? 

Common ingredients for Italian burgers include ground beef or chuck, Italian seasonings such as oregano or parsley, breadcrumbs and cheeses such as Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. 

How do I keep stuffed burgers from falling apart? 

To prevent your stuffed burgers from falling apart while grilling them, ensure that the edges are sealed well. I find this easy to do by just pinching the sides of the patties.

You can also roll both patties together to form a ball and then press them into a patty again. While your cheese may not stay in the middle this rolling method does guarantee the stuffed Italian burgers stay together. 

What can I use to bind the burgers other than crackers?

To bind your mozzarella burgers try breadcrumbs, oats, potato chips, ritz crackers or even crushed pretzels as an alternative to the crackers. 

Can I add mozzarella cheese to the burger mixture? 

Sure! If you would like to skip stuffing the burgers with mozzarella, you can mix shredded mozzarella cheese into the individual patties.

How do you keep burgers fresh after grilling?

When the burgers are done you could move them to an insulated bag or container to help keep them warm, wrap them in foil, this will help hold in the the heat and moisture. Or if you are serving them immediately keep them on a warming tray or oven on low heat.

How to store the burgers

The cooked burgers can be refrigerated as long as they have not remained at room temperature for more than 2 hours. More then that they may not be safe to consume.

Store cooked patties in an airtight container or wrap each burger securely with plastic wrap and place in a sealed bag. They will keep in the fridge for approximately 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

If you are looking for a change in your burgers than these Italian cheese stuffed burgers are a delicious idea you may be looking for. Let me know if you try them. Buon Appetito!

Updated from July 17, 2015.