1 pound ground beef (I use 90% lean)

2 tablespoons chopped onion

½ teaspoon dried minced garlic

Pinch of salt, sprinkle of pepper

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

3/4-1 cup water

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 cup shredded mild cheddar, loosely packed

1 cup shredded mozzarella, loosely packed

½ pound pepperoni, fairly finely diced

Hamburger buns

Additional shredded mozzarella

    Brown ground beef with onion, minced garlic, and salt and pepper, breaking up into fine pieces. Drain fat, if necessary. (No need if you use lean ground beef)

    Combine tomato paste, water, oregano, basil, and parsley and mix well. Pour over beef and stir together. Heat to simmer.

    Add shredded cheese, stirring until it melts, then add pepperoni. Stir to distribute it throughout the mixture, and then heat through.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

    Spread a large spoonful of mixture onto half of hamburger bun, and place onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle with additional shredded mozzarella.

    Bake 10-15 minutes until hot through, cheese melts, and buns slightly toast.

    Use slider buns for three or four bite burgers!