Spinach and Asiago Beef Burgers
"Burgers are always the answer."
That statement, "Burgers are always the answer," isn't quite true but it comes closer to the mark if you take into consideration this recipe! Now that I am doing my best to eat healthy (or healthier), I am always on the lookout for new recipes that will help me maintain my goal. This recipe was inspired by a recipe of the same name authored by Kate at drizzlemeskinny.com. This is a well-designed website with lots of healthy recipes; I recommend you give her a visit.
When I first made this recipe I used cottage cheese which the original recipe called for. The outcome was excellent and I was very satisfied. Then, after cooking the original recipe several times I came across an article comparing cottage cheese to ricotta cheese and ricotta won. So, I changed my recipe to use ricotta cheese and I really believe that the cooked patties are juicier. I also think that the cook can get by if he/she overcooks the meat a bit because the ricotta cheese somehow seems to hold in the moisture. Try it both ways and let me know what you think.
- 1 pound ground beef (extra lean, 96/4)
- 3/4 cups spinach (coarse chopped)
- 1 tablespoon shallot (dried, shredded)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or paste)
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs (plain)
- 1/3 cup Asiago cheese (fresh grated)
- 1/3 cup Ricotta cheese (low fat)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal Kosher salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Assemble the ingredients. Pre-heat your grill to about 450 °F and spray cooking oil on the grids.
In a 2-qt bowl, add all the ingredients and use your hands to mix and combine them thoroughly.
On wax paper, use your hands to form four approx. 5-oz. balls from the meat mixture.
Press each ball of meat into a patty.
Place each of the patties onto the hot grids of the grill. Cook on each side for 3 to 5 minutes until an instant-read thermometer shows you that the patty has reached the degree of wellness that you prefer (145 °F for beef rare, 160 °F for beef medium, 170 °F beef well). Remove immediately and serve while hot.
Serving Size 4 oz.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 175kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 5g8%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Cholesterol 65mg22%
- Sodium 92mg4%
- Potassium 87mg3%
- Total Carbohydrate 6g2%
- Sugars 2g
- Protein 26g52%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
I don't eat these burgers on bread because of the carbs in the bread. Instead, I eat them with a lettuce wrap or just top them off with all the desired fixings and eat them off the plate with a knife & fork. My favorite side with these burgers is Roasted Parmesan Zucchini Rounds or Roasted Parmesan Yellow Squash Rounds.
