Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers
These tasty turkey burgers, served on toasted focaccia and dressed with marinara sauce, are reminiscent of a sausage pizza. Shredded mozzarella combined with fresh basil melts beautifully inside these gems.

Ingredients
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2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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2 cups chopped plum tomatoes, with juices
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6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
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1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey
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1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
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2 teaspoons minced garlic
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2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
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1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
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1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
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2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
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2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
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4 4-inch-square slices foccacia bread, (about 2 ounces each), toasted
Directions
1.
To prepare marinara: Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cover and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in fresh tomatoes and any juices, sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in basil and remove from the heat. Transfer to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse-textured sauce. Return to the pan and set aside.
2.
To prepare burgers: Place turkey, scallions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 8 thin patties about 4-inches wide and 3/8 inch thick.
3.
Combine 1/4 cup cheese and basil and place an equal amount in the center of 4 patties. Cover with the remaining patties and crimp the edges closed.
4.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (see Grilling Variation). Add burgers and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes total.
5.
Warm the marinara on the stove. To assemble the burgers, spread 3 tablespoons of marinara on each toasted focaccia, top with a burger, about 3 more tablespoons of marinara and 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese. Grilling Variation: To grill the turkey burgers, preheat a grill to medium-high. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the patties, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes total.
Tips:
Tip: To oil the grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.) When grilling delicate foods like tofu and fish, it is helpful to spray the food with cooking spray.
MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate the marinara sauce (Step 1) for up to 5 days.
Nutrition information
Calories 299, Total Fat 15 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Monounsaturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Sodium 706 mg, Carbohydrate 14 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 28 g, Potassium 382 mg. Daily Values: Vitamin A 20%, Vitamin C 35%, Calcium 15%, Iron 15%. Exchanges: Starch 0.5,Vegetable 1,Lean Meat 3.5,Fat 1.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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how-tos
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