Turn Plain Burgers Into An Italian Delicacy With 3 Fresh Toppings

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

For many of us, Fridays are all about ordering in, and pizza seems to be the go-to. But before you place your usual order, consider firing up the grill instead. You can easily turn plain burgers into an Italian-inspired meal with three fresh toppings. Impress your inner chef by simply adding tomato, mozzarella, and basil to a burger. So simple and yet so deliciously gourmet-tasting.

Start off by making some homemade basil pesto that you can gently work into your favorite burger patty, spreading herby flavor throughout the meat. For a vegetarian handheld meal, add the pesto to your vegetarian patty to add fresh flavor, adjusting the amount so the mixture doesn't become too wet to hold together. Save some pesto to spread on the buns, keeping it separate from any that has touched raw meat. Add fresh mozzarella slices to the patties toward the end of cooking, letting it soften, and top with sliced tomatoes. Choose ripe tomatoes for a juicy sweetness and finish them with a sprinkle of salt and a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, like this Kosterina bottle from Amazon. For an extra sweet-tart accent, drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the top, then tuck in fresh basil leaves before encasing it all in your favorite burger bun.

For complementary sides, go for some rosemary-roasted potato wedges with crisp edges that contrast with the soft mozzarella, or a lemony arugula salad with pine nuts to add a peppery bite that balances the burger's richness. Grilled zucchini is another good side choice, adding lightly smoky flavor without competing with the pesto.

While the origins of caprese salad are debated, one of our favorite stories traces the dish to a 1922 Futurist gathering in Capri, where it offered a fresh alternative to traditional pasta dishes. True to its name, this movement embraced innovation and challenged culinary traditions, including Italy's love of pasta. In that spirit, a caprese burger feels like a natural evolution, bringing that familiar trio of tomato, mozzarella, and basil to another classic.

So let's go one step further and rethink how we serve it. If you're hosting, or just want to give your family a fun dinner, turn these burgers into a build-your-own spread and let everyone put their own spin on the caprese combination. Set out platters of sliced heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil alongside bowls of pesto and creamy burrata. Offer roasted red peppers for extra sweetness and pickled red onion for a tangy crunch, then let everyone mix and match their toppings. This caprese burger bar is an easy way to make burger night feel a little more special while giving everyone a say in choosing their favorite inclusions. Look at you, channeling your inner futurist chef, and to think you almost ordered pizza!