CHEF JEFF -- ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Pizza Burger

What's the next best thing to a pizza? A pizza burger.

Pizza Burger

1 pound ground round

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon dried basil

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup finely diced green or red bell pepper

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, optional

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup pizza sauce, heated

4 slices mozzarella cheese

4 bakery hamburger rolls

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Garlic powder, if desired

Thoroughly mix ground beef with oregano, basil, garlic, onion, bell pepper, Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste. Shape into 4 patties. Grill, broil or pan-fry, basting with teaspoon of pizza sauce in last 2 minutes of cooking. Top patties with mozzarella. Allow to melt slightly. Mix butter with garlic powder. Brush on rolls on cut sides. Place buns briefly on grill rack or warm oven to toast. Place burgers on crisp rolls. Pass remaining pizza sauce to be ladled on top of patties.

Yield: Serves 4.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.