Recipe

Mozzarella Meatballs

All Recipes / Family / Beef / Dinner

Italian style meatballs with melted mozzarella and served with garlic ciabatta rolls.

6
30 minutes
45 minutes
180ºC

Ingredients

  • Meatballs
  • 1kg low fat minced beef
  • 1 red onion
    - finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
    - finely chopped
  • Generous handful fresh basil leaves
    - finely sliced
  • Pinch of chilli flakes
    - optional
  • Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
  • 1 whole egg
  • 2 tbsp organic rapeseed oil
    - or extra virgin olive oil
  • Quick Tomato Sauce
  • 2 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • Sea salt and black pepper - to taste
    - to taste
  • Other
  • 250g Buffalo mozzarella
    - drained and cut into thick slices
  • Garnish
  • Basil leaves
  • Garlic Ciabatta rolls
  • 6 x small Ciabatta rolls
  • Garlic Butter
  • 150g unsalted butter
    - softened
  • 1 clove garlic
    - crushed

Instructions

  • Prepare meatballs:
  • 01 For the purist of heart finely chop by hand the onion, garlic, basil leaves and place in a large mixing bowl or place in food processor and pulse to a fine chop. Now addd the minced beef and raw egg. Finally add seasonings and pinch of chilli flakes (optional). Bring all the ingredients tougher either by hand or if using a food process pulse quickly to a rough paste. Tip in to a large bowl. Quickly wash your hands in cold water, and using the palm of your hands form round meatballs - the size is up to you, small mouthfuls or medium bites (approximately 25 meatballs).
  • Cook meatballs:
  • 02 Heat the oil in a non stick frying pan, and on a high heat colour the meatballs on both sides. Place in a serving dish when nicely browned all over.
  • Make quick tomato sauce:
  • 03 In the same pan as the meatballs add the tinned tomatoes, sugar, balsamic and cider vinegar. Check the seasoning and bring to a slow simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Assemble to oven bake:
  • 04 Pour tomato sauce over the meatballs and leave to cool slightly before placing the mozzarella slices on the top. Place in the oven for 30 minutes. Cook until the mozzarella is melted and the sauce hot and bubbling.
  • Serve:
  • 05 Take to the table hot and serve with the garlic Ciabatta rolls.

Notes

If preferred, minced pork, chicken or turkey can be substituted for the minced beef.

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