Ingredients

• 1/2  cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4  cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1/4  cup finely chopped green sweet pepper
• 1/4  cup catsup
• 2  tablespoons prepared horseradish
• 2  tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 1/2  teaspoon pepper
• 2  pounds extra-lean ground beef
• 8  slices smoked or regular mozzarella cheese
•   Fresh basil leaves, sliced
• 8  3/4-inch-thick slices Italian bread, toasted, or whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

Directions

1. Combine onion, bread crumbs, sweet pepper, catsup, horseradish, mustard, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape meat mixture into eight 3/4-inch-thick patties.

2. Grill patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in side of patty registers 160 degrees F., turning once halfway through cooking. Top each burger with a slice of mozzarella during last 2 minutes of grilling. Remove from grill, sprinkle with basil.

3. Serve on toasted Italian bread slices or whole wheat buns. Makes 8 servings.

Note: To transport to a picnic site, cover and chill raw meat patties for 1 hour. Transport in an insulated cooler with ice packs. Cook within 1 hour.