Cheesy Baked Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Cheesy Baked Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• Ground beef and pork mixture: 1 lb (500g)
• Breadcrumbs: ½ cup
• Egg: 1
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Parmesan cheese: ¼ cup, grated
• Onion: 1 small, finely diced
• Milk: 2 tbsp
• Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
• Salt and pepper: To taste

For the Sauce:

• Marinara sauce: 2 cups
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
• Red pepper flakes: ¼ tsp (optional)

For Topping:

• Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup, shredded
• Parmesan cheese: ¼ cup, grated
• Fresh basil: For garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the meatballs:
   • In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan cheese, onion, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is fully combined.
   • Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and set aside.
3. Sear the meatballs:
   • Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear them on all sides until golden brown (they don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Prepare the marinara sauce:
   • In the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
   • Pour in the marinara sauce and add red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Assemble the dish:
   • Place the meatballs back into the skillet with the sauce. Spoon some sauce over each meatball.
   • Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
6. Bake:
   • Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
7. Garnish and serve:
   • Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish with fresh basil.
   • Serve hot with crusty bread, pasta, or a side salad.