Saucy Italian Burger on a Lettuce Bun

The flavors of pasta al pomodoro get all up on a lean beef patty, nestled inside crunchy lettuce. It doesn’t get much better than this…

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh basil 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 2 dashes each salt and black pepper
• 4 oz. raw extra-lean ground beef (4% fat or less)
• Dash Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 4 large (or 2 extra-large) iceberg or butter lettuce leaves

Directions:

To make the sauce, in a small microwave-safe bowl, combine crushed tomatoes, basil, 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, 1/8 tsp. onion powder, and a dash each salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, combine beef, Italian seasoning and remaining 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, 1/8 tsp. onion powder, and dash each salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Form into a 4-inch-wide patty. Bring a grill pan (or skillet) sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat. Cook patty for 3 minutes. Flip patty, and cook for 3 – 4 more minutes, or until cooked to your preference.

Meanwhile, cover sauce, and microwave for 20 seconds, or until warm. Mix well.

Top patty with cheese. Cover and cook for 1 minute, or until cheese has melted.

Stack two large lettuce leaves, and place cheese-topped patty in the center (or stack two extra-large leaves, and place patty over one half). Top with sauce, and finish with the remaining two large lettuce leaves (or wrap the extra-large leaves around the filling). MAKES 1 SERVING

Entire recipe: 230 calories, 29.5g protein, 9.5g carbs, 7.5g fat, 646mg sodium, 3g fiber, 4.5g sugars

Recipe source: www.hungrygirl.com

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