Modified from Express Lane Meals by Rachael Ray [full recipe]
2 tbsp oil [she used EVOO, I just used vegetable oil.]
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and finely diced [I actually got out my mincer for this]
1/2 large onion, minced as well [same here]
4 small carrots, shredded [she just minced, I shredded so it would disappear into the sausage]
salt and pepper
1 tsp celery flakes [she put in minced celery, which I seldom have...I would use if I had it, I wouldn't buy it for this recipe (or really most recipes), so I use celery flakes for flavor in place.]
1 1/2 lb bulk sweet sausage [I actually used 1 lb of straight sweet sausage the first time, and it was just fine - I was doing it convince Adam to eat and he loves sausage]
1/2 lb ground beef [she also used some hot sausage, but I wanted Adam to eat it, so I just went with the sweet and regular beef....she used all three]
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
***She made this is an Italian BBQ sauce, but I knew Adam wouldn't care, so he and I ate it plain and Ray used ketchup.
Preheat oven to 425.
Heat a small skillet with oil. When oil is hot, add red pepper and onion. Then add carrots a few minutes later (celey if you are using it here). She did this all together, but since I shredded my carrots, I didn't saute them as long. Saute about 5 minutes or until veggies are tenders. Season with salt, pepper and celery flakes (obviously you can leave these out if you use real celery). Remove to cool.
Combine meats with egg, bread crumbs, cheese and cooled vegetables. Mix well.
Form into patties (she did 4 large oval shaped ones, I went with smaller, hamburger like patties so got more...not more than 1 1/4 inches thick for cooking). Put on a cookie sheet (I put these on a wire rack on a cookie sheet the first time - not really necessary). Drizzle with some more oil and bake for 17-18 minutes or until cooked through.
If you wanted to make the BBQ sauce, you'd make it while the patties are baking.
Servings: 6 (in my opinion easily, especially with sides)