Gouda & Caramelized Onion Stuffed Burgers

This beautiful, delicious, mess of a burger, could very well be one of the best things that you ever bite into!  They take a little more time to make than a regular burger, but are so worth it.  Loaded with cheese, inside and out, stuffed with sweet caramelized onions and topped with bacon...they pretty much have it all goin' on!

You can make them early in the day, or even they day before - they actually cook up better if made ahead of time. It keeps the cheese from getting too oozey (as if oozey cheese were a bad thing!)  Just keep them in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook.  Don't use lean beef for these beauties, you'll want to make your burgers with 80 to 85% lean beef for maximum juiciness.

Serve with an ice cold beer and you have the perfect summer meal!

Recipe developed for Beemster

Makes 4 Servings

Preparation: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large sweet onion, sliced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/3 pounds ground beef

1 1/4 cups shredded Beemster Vlaskaas (Gouda), divided

8 slices bacon, cooked

4 hamburger buns

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook onion and salt for 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions very tender and become a deep caramel color.

Form ground beef into 8 4-inch patties. On center of 4 patties, arrange 1½ tablespoons onions and 3 tablespoons Beemster. Place remaining patties on top and press to seal edges.

Place burgers on hot grill and cook over medium heat turning once, until burgers are cooked to desired doneness.

Top with bacon and remaining Beemster and grill until cheese is melted.

Serve on buns with lettuce, tomato and any remaining caramelized onions.