
Italian Open-Faced Turkey Burger
Italian Open-Faced Turkey Burger
Hello, my fellow foodie Adventurers!
Today’s Kitchen Quest is a bold Italian triumph: Open-Faced Turkey Burger! Prepare to claim victory, my brave guild—this Italian Open-Faced Turkey Burger is a treasure worth savoring! You’ll love how it transforms the humble turkey burger into an Italian feast. Picture this—an Italian-seasoned turkey patty, crowned with sautéed portabella mushrooms, a rich marinara cloak, and melted provolone, all perched atop a toasted Italian bread crust. These open-faced wonders are a lighter, tastier twist on the classic turkey burger—bursting with flavor and so hearty you’ll need a knife and fork to conquer them. Ready to wield your broiler and forge this savory masterpiece?
Ingredients You’ll Need (Your Quest Inventory):
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1 lb. ground turkey (the lean champion)
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8 oz. tomato sauce (the ruby tide)
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½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (golden dust)
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⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs (the seasoned mantle)
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1 tbsp. Italian seasoning (the herb chant)
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½ tsp garlic powder (a subtle essence)
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½ tsp dried oregano (a woodland whisper)
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¼ tsp salt (the seasoning rune)
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¼ tsp black pepper (a shadow spark)
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1 tbsp. Dijon mustard (the tangy blade)
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1 pack portabella mushrooms, sliced (forest spoils)
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1 tbsp. olive oil (the golden flame)
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4 slices Italian bread (the crusty thrones)
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2 cups marinara sauce Rao’s Homemade Marinara Sauce (the spicy chalice)
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4 slices provolone cheese (molten treasure)
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How To Forge Your Fest (The Quest Steps):
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Ready the Forge: Preheat your broiler—your fiery weapon is primed!
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Craft the Champions: In a stand mixer (or by hand with vigor!), combine 1 lb. ground turkey, 8 oz. tomato sauce, ½ cup Parmesan, ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard—blend until united. Form into 4 hearty patties.
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Broil the Bounty: Place the turkey patties on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil for 12 minutes, flip, and broil another 12 minutes until cooked through (165°F inside)—golden and ready!
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Harvest the Spoils: Clean the portabella mushrooms, remove stems, and slice. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium flame—add the mushrooms and sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender and fragrant.
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Toast the Thrones: Lay the 4 Italian bread slices on a baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes until crisp and golden—your base is forged!
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Warm the Chalice: Heat 2 cups marinara sauce in the microwave (or stovetop if you prefer)—let it simmer and sing!
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Assemble the Feast: Top each toasted bread slice with a turkey patty, a pile of sautéed mushrooms, and a slice of provolone. Spoon ½ cup warm marinara over each—return to the broiler for 3 minutes until the cheese melts into a gooey crown.
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Claim Your Victory: Garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan—serve hot and dive in with knife and fork in hand!
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Tips Tricks & Tasty Variations:
This open-faced burger is an Italian classic reborn, but every Kitchen Quest hero needs a few clever moves and twists to master the craft. Here’s how to wield your skills and remix this dish like a true flavor bard!
Cooking Tricks:
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Patty Prep: Chill the turkey mixture for 15 minutes before shaping—makes firmer patties that hold their form under the broiler!
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Mushroom Magic: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the mushrooms while sautéing—deepens the flavor loot.
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Cheese Melt: Add the provolone halfway through the second broil (at 6 minutes)—melts deeper into the patty for extra gooeyness.
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Bread Hack: Brush the Italian bread with olive oil before toasting—amps up the crisp and flavor!
Tasty Variations:
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Spicy Skirmish: Mix a pinch of red pepper flakes into the turkey or marinara—ignite a fiery edge for the bold!
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Veggie Vault: Add sautéed spinach or roasted red peppers atop the mushrooms—extra spoils for your tower.
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Cheese Quest: Swap provolone for mozzarella or asiago—new molten banners to wave proudly.
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Herb Twist: Stir fresh basil or rosemary into the patty mix—a fragrant banner to elevate the realm.
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Sauce Swap: Trade marinara for pesto—turns it into a green-clad Italian adventure!
If you missed it, swing back to my last post: Spicy Chicken Riggies—a Fiery quest to fuel your next adventure!

Italian Open-Faced Turkey Burger
Italian-seasoned turkey patty, crowned with sautéed portabella mushrooms, a rich marinara cloak, and melted provolone, all perched atop a toasted Italian bread crust.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 pack portabella mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 slices Italian bread
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 4 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat broiler.
- In a stand mixer, combine turkey, tomato sauce, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and dijon mustard.
- Form meat mixture into 4 patties.
- Place turkey patties on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Broil for 12 minutes.
- Turn and broil for another 12 minutes.
- Clean mushrooms, remove stem, and slice.
- Add olive oil to a nonstick pan on medium heat.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and sautee.
- Place Italian bread sliced on a baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes.
- Heat marinara in the microwave.
- Top each piece of bread with a turkey burger, mushrooms, and provolone, then put 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on each.
- Stick them back in the oven for 3 minutes.
- Garnish with parmesan cheese.
- Serve and enjoy.