SANDWICH ESSENTIALS: ITALIAN LOOSE MEAT

Sandwich Essentials: Italian Loose Meat image

I actually started out making some traditional Mid-West loose meat sandwiches and decided to take it in a different direction. I came up with an Italian loose meat sandwich, and the results were surprisingly tasty. I am making these as sliders; however, you could use regular hamburger buns. You will get 4 regular burgers, or 7...

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
2 Tbsp dehydrated onions
1/4 c beef stock, not broth, really hot
1/2 lb ground beef, lean (80/20)
1/2 lb italian sausage, mild or hot, your choice
1/2 c pizza or spaghetti sauce, your choice
2 oz colby, or cheddar cheese, shredded
2 oz mozzarella cheese
DRY SPICES
1/2 tsp salt, kosher variety, or to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
1/4 tsp ground savory
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
4 regular hamburger buns, or 7 - 8 slider buns

Steps:

1. PREP/PREPARE
2. To make this recipe, you will need a skillet to cook the meat, and a rimmed baking sheet (preferable parchment lined).
3. The Meat If you can get freshly ground meat, go for it. The reason I mention this is because when it is freshly ground, it is not so packed together, like the stuff you get in the cellophane-wrapped styrofoam containers and makes it easier to mix with the other ingredients.
4. If you are using regular hamburger buns this recipe will make 4 sandwiches. If you only need two, cut the ingredients in half. Or, if you are going solo, use just a quarter of the ingredients. However, in the end this is not about precise measurements; it is about what you like. I am using small slider buns, so I got 7 sliders.
5. This recipe can be frozen for 4 - 6 months and defrosted when you get the craving.
6. If you do not have beef stock for the dehydrated onions, no worries. Just use hot water. No dehydrated onions; just use some chopped onions and skip the beef stock.
7. This is the sauce I am using for this recipe: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/italian-essentials-awesome-pizza-sauce.html?r=1
8. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
9. Add the dehydrated onions into a small bowl, and cover with the hot beef broth.
10. Add the ground beef, and Italian sausage to a skillet over medium heat.
11. Cook until the meat begins to lose it red color, then add the dry spices, and simmer and stir for about 3 minutes.
12. Add the sauce, onions, and colby or cheddar cheese.
13. Incorporate the ingredients, then turn the burner down to low, low, cover, and let slowly simmer for about 15 minutes.
14. While the meat is simmering, place a rack in the upper position, and preheat the oven to 375f (190c)
15. I am using slider buns, so I used a paring knife to cut out the center section of the buns. If you are using regular hamburger buns, just have them at the ready.
16. Place the buns on a baking sheet, preferable parchment lined, and add the meat mixture, and top with the mozzarella.
17. Place in the preheated oven, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and brown in spots, about 9 - 11 minutes.
18. PLATE/PRESENT
19. Serve while nice and hot with come chips, maybe a pickle chip, or whatever you choose. Enjoy.
20. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.