Cheesy Oven-Baked Meatballs
Indulge in the savory delight of Cheesy Oven-Baked Meatballs, a mouthwatering dish that combines the richness of ground beef with a luscious mozzarella and parmesan sauce. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating these delectable meatballs, ensuring a flavorful experience for your taste buds.
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Ingredients for the Meatballs:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 1/2 lbs | Ground beef |
| 1/2 cup | Breadcrumbs |
| 1/2 cup | Milk |
| 1 | Egg |
| 2 tsp | Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 small | Onion, minced |
| 1-2 cloves | Garlic, minced |
| 1/4 cup | Fresh parsley, chopped |
| 1 tsp | Dried oregano |
| To taste | Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper |
Ingredients for the Sauce:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Mozzarella cheese, grated |
| 1/4 cup | Parmesan cheese, grated |
| 2 cups | Chicken broth |
| 3/4 cup | Heavy whipping cream |
| 1 clove | Garlic, smashed |
| 2 tbsp | Butter |
| 2 tbsp | All-purpose flour |
| 1/4 tsp | Ground nutmeg |
| To taste | Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper |
Meatballs instructions:
- Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Set it aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, allowing the breadcrumbs to absorb the milk.
- Mixing the Meat:
- In a large bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
- Add 1 1/2 lbs ground beef to the egg mixture, and thoroughly mix using your hands.
- Incorporate minced onions, minced garlic, and the soaked breadcrumbs into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Forming Meatballs:
- Shape the meat mixture into 1-inch balls and place them in the prepared baking dish.
- Baking:
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Turn the meatballs over and bake for an additional 10 minutes until they are cooked through.
Sauce instructions:
- Preparing the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add a smashed clove of garlic. Once the butter has melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook for one minute.
- Creating the Base:
- Gradually add 2 cups of chicken broth, stirring constantly.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper, bringing the mixture to a boil. Let it boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Final Touch:
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, stir in 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and season further if needed.
- Let the sauce cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Combining with Meatballs:
- Remove the smashed garlic from the sauce and pour it over the baked meatballs in the dish.
- Top the meatballs with 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese and return them to the oven until golden brown and bubbling, approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Serving:
- Let the cheesy oven-baked meatballs cool for 5 minutes before serving.
