Mini Italian Burgers
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Moist and packed with Italian flavor, these Mini Italian Burgers will impress anyone from guests to the youngest eaters in your house. Even better, they are freezer-friendly! You’ll want to double the batch every time you make these mini burgers.
About This Recipe
Fresh herbs, Parmesan cheese, pantry seasonings, and even a little tomato paste make these sliders moist and packed with Italian flavor. A fun twist on the standard burger.
It’s a great recipe to serve to groups of people. Even kids love them!
Ingredients Needed
It only takes a few ingredients to transform boring, bland ground beef. Just one of the many reasons I love burgers! Here’s what you’ll need on hand.
How to Make Mini Italian Burgers
- Combine the ground beef and seasonings in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to gently incorporate all the ingredients evenly.
- Divide the mixture into 8 even portions and shape each portion into a slider. It’s a good idea to press a small indent in the middle to keep it from turning into a football shape on the grill!
- Grill over medium-heat heat or cook in a skillet over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes per side, until 160°F internally.
- Top each warm burger with Provolone cheese and serve on buns with preferred toppings.
What to Serve with Italian Sliders
Burgers play nice with all sorts of side dishes. If you need some ideas, here are some to get you started.
Serving Tip: For even more of an Italian twist, serve these sliders on mini ciabatta rolls and use fresh basil leaves as a topping and fresh mozzarella slices instead of Provolone. Top with warm marinara sauce.
How to Freeze Burgers
You can make these burgers ahead of time and store them in the fridge for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months if you package them correctly. That’s the case for almost all freezer meals!
When I make burgers, I always double the batch and freeze one for later. It’s such a great use of my time in the kitchen, especially when I know my family loves these so much.
Here’s how to freeze and thaw them:
Freeze for Later
Package uncooked burgers in single layers between pieces of parchment or waxed paper in a freezer bag/container. You can freeze a package of slider buns and the cheese slices along with the burgers to create a kit. Seal and freeze.
Prepare From Frozen
Thaw completely in the refrigerator, about 24 hours. Set on counter and bring up to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. Cook according to instructions.
FAQs
Use a meat thermometer to determine when your burger is done to your liking. It’s safest to cook until well-done to kill any bacteria. A well-done burger is no longer pink inside and has an internal temperature of 160°F.
Sure! Just cook them longer until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
More Burger and Slider Recipes
Give some of our other popular burger-like recipes a try!
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Mini Italian Burgers
Moist and packed with Italian flavor, these mini burgers will impress anyone from guests to the youngest eaters in your house. Freezing instructions included.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I prefer grass-fed)
- 1 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (about 1/2 bunch)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 8 slider buns, sliced in half (or use mini ciabatta rolls)
- 4 slices Provolone or mozzarella cheese, quartered
- Optional toppings: fresh basil leaves and warm marinara sauce OR lettuce, tomato slices, mayonnaise, ketchup, etc.
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Make It Now:
- Place the garlic, parsley, Parmesan, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a mixing bowl and stir until combined. Add the ground beef and use your hands to gently combine all the ingredients together, taking care not to compress or overwork them.
- Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions (about 3.5 ounces per portion) and shape the meat into small patties that are about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1/2-3/4 inch thick. (Freezing instructions begin here.)
- Preheat a greased skillet or a gas or charcoal grill to medium high heat.
- Place the burgers on the grill or in the pan and cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through. (Turn the heat down to medium, if they are cooking to fast on the outside.) A well-done burger will register 160°F internally.
- Top each warm burger with two pieces of the cut up cheese and serve on buns with preferred toppings.
Freeze For Later:
Complete Steps 1 and 2. Then, place uncooked burgers in a gallon-sized freezer bag or container in single layers with parchment paper between layers. Put the buns in another gallon-sized freezer bag. Wrap cheese slices tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place in the bag with the buns. Freeze the burgers, cheese slices, and buns together in the freezer as a meal kit.
Prepare From Frozen:
Thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours. Cook according to instructions in Steps 3-5.
Notes/Tips
- When forming the patties, leave a little indent in the middle. This helps prevent them from puffing in the middle and turning out like a football shape instead of a burger shape.
- If you want to kick this recipe up a little, brush the insides of the buns with oil and toast them on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes (watch closely so they don’t burn).
- Gluten-Free Version: The only thing you’ll need to change is swap out the slider buns for a gluten-free bun/roll.
- Shortcut: Use your food processor to chop the parsley and garlic.
Could the patties be made the day before and just kept in the fridge?
Hi Heather! Yes, I have made them a day ahead. I have also cooked from frozen on the grill and in a skillet, just making sure the internal temp is good.
So delicious! My non burger loving kiddo said it was a keeper [recipe]!
Sweet! Love to hear when we win over those picky eaters. Thanks for leaving a review Jennifer!
These were so flavorful – especially with the pizza sauce and fresh basil. Very good!
This has been a favorite in our household for 10+ years! So glad you like it. Thanks for leaving a review Amy.
Could you thaw frozen beef, mix the cheese and other spices, then refreeze the uncooked patties?
Great question. Yes, absolutely! The USDA says this is perfectly safe. We do it all the time. Just be sure to use it right away after thawing.
Have you ever baked these like your meatballs?
Yum! I ate two and trying not to go back for more! Whole family enjoyed. ☺️
Awesome! Thanks for the review, Meg. Really appreciate the feedback. 🙂