Mozzarella Smothered Beef Burgers with Italian Twist

Prepare the burger mixture by combining the minced garlic, finely chopped onion, oregano, soy sauce, black pepper, and half of the shredded mozzarella in a large bowl. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.

Add the ground beef into the mixture and using your clean hands, gently combine until the seasonings are incorporated without overworking the meat to maintain tenderness.

Form the mixture into four equal-sized burger patties, about 1 inch thick each. Make a slight indentation in the middle of the patties to keep them from puffing during cooking.

Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the burger patties and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side or until thermometer inserted in the center of the patties reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly on the cooked burgers. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melty and gooey.

While the burgers are cooking, spread the softened butter on the inner sides of the brioche buns and toast them in a non-stick pan over medium heat until light golden brown.

To assemble, place one cooked burger on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Generously top the burgers with marinara sauce and finish with the top bun.