Double Cheese Meatballs Two Ways
Nothing better than Meatballs unless they are double cheese meatballs. Make them two ways, a main dish or baked and served as an appetizer. You choose.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 21 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 2 slice bread
- 1/4 1/2 cup milk ((60-120 grams))
- 1 lb ground beef (not too lean 85%) ((400 grams))
- 1 small onion minced
- 1-2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese ((25 grams))
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1-2 dashes black pepper
- 21 small pieces cheese (firm mozzarella, gruyere or fontina)
- 1/4 1/2 cup bread crumbs (if making appetizer meatballs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 15 oz can pelati (peeled) tomatoes ((400 grams))
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil or 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1-2 dashes black pepper or hot pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup water ((78 grams))
Instructions
- 1
If making the appetizers heat oven to 350F (180C), line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
In a medium bowl soak the bread in the milk, squeeze out excess moisture and break into very small pieces (large crumbs). In a large bowl add the ground beef, bread, minced onion, parsley, parmesan cheese, egg, salt and pepper mix together (easier if mixed with clean hands).
- 3
Take a small amount of the meat mixture and place a small piece of cheese on top and cover with another small amount and form into a ball covering the cheese. They should be about the size of golfballs or even a little larger if you want.
- 4
To make meatball appetizers, roll the balls in bread crumbs and place on the prepared cookie sheet, drizzle with a little olive oil and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
- 5
To make meatballs in a sauce, first brown them in a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, finish cooking them in the tomato sauce. Serve either as a main with a side dish or over your favourite al dente pasta. Enjoy!
- 6
In a large pan add add the oil, tomatoes and squish to break up with a fork, then add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine then add the browed meatballs and water, gently combine, simmer on low / medium slightly covered for about 30 minutes or until sauce has thickened and meatballs are cooked through.