Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake

I can barely edit the pictures for this post because my mouth is leaking. Cheesy Rosemary Meatball bake is the ULTIMATE in cheesy comfort food. My mouth is remembering that right now. In fact, I think there is still some in the fridge. I’ll be right back.

Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake @loavesanddishes.net

I know, I know. Looking at the recipe instructions for Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake makes you think that this is a difficult meal to fix. However, it is pretty darn simple.

1. Simply make the sauce. While that is simmering, mix and roll up those cute little meat balls. Take the sauce out of the iron skillet (or any oven safe skillet) and put the sauce in a bowl.

2. Now, put the meatballs where the sauce was in the frying pan. Let them cook – its ok if they stick to the bottom a little – that makes for MORE FLAVOR in the long run! Remember WAY on back there when we made pot roast? We didn’t care if things stuck to the pan because we deglazed the pan and made a delicious juice? Same thing here.

3. So- after the meatballs are done – add them to the sauce bowl. Deglaze your pan and dump it all back in there. Give it a gentle stir and top with cheese. Slap that bad boy into the oven – and all that is left is the waiting!

OH DELICIOUS WAITING! You will know when it is done – it will speak to you with hot bubbling cheese.

This is a GREAT dish when you are sick and tired of leftover ham and turkey!

Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake @loavesanddishes.net

PAIRING FOR CHEESY ROSEMARY MEATBALL BAKE

This Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake is fantastic served over a bed of pasta – I’ve been using Linguini, but I think any stringy pasta would be perfect. A green leafy salad such as Arugula Caprese Salad and a bread and  – poof. Perfect meal.

Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake @loavesanddishes.net

COMING UP

I hope you will check back on Sunday – set your alarm now – or better yet – sign up to get updates from Loaves and Dishes via email (right over there on the left hand side). Because on Sunday – we will be having THE Chocolate Cake. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake

Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake is cheese pulls full of deliciousness!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Rosemary meatball bake

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 400kcal

Author: Loaves and Dishes

Ingredients

For the Sauce

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 small onion – finely chopped
• 8 oz mushrooms – sliced
• ¼ Cup Green Bell Peppers
• 3 cloves garlic – minced
• 1 Can crushed tomatoes with liquid - larger can - 28oz about quart size
• 1 small can tomato paste
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp raw sugar
• ½ tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ Cup heavy cream
• ½ Cup chardonnay wine

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ lb ground hot sausage
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 1 finely minced shallot
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh Rosemary chopped
• ½ Cup freshly grated Parmesean Cheese
• 2 cloves Garlic – minced
• 1 large egg beaten
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbs olive oil

To Finish

• 4 oz fresh mozzarella shredded
• 4 tbs fresh grated mozerella
• 2/3 tbs minced fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

• For the sauce
• Heat olive oil in large oven proof skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion, mushroom and pepper and sauté till softened – about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepper, sugar, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir and reduce heat to medium low - allow to cook down while making the meat balls – will thicken. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl – add the cream.
• For the meatballs
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, bread crumbs, shallot, thyme, rosemary, parmesan, garlic, egg, salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix ingredients together until well combined. Form into 1 ½ inch meatballs.
• In the skillet that the sauce was cooked in, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Cook meatballs (may need to cook in batches) – turning occasionally. The meatballs may stick to the skillet a little and that is ok – will deglaze in a moment. Once meatballs are browned on all sides, remove meatballs to the same bowl that the sauce is in.
• Turn the burner up to medium high. When skillet is hot, add wine (can substitute chicken or beef broth). Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan and allow the wine to bubbly and reduce by about half (5 mins). Remove skillet from the heat and add the bowl of sauce and meatballs to the skillet.
• To finish:
• Preheat the oven to 400. Sprinkle the mozerella and paremesean over the top of the meatballs and sauce and bake until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly – about 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil. Serve warm.

Notes

cheese pulls and delicious!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Cheesy Rosemary Meatball Bake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 400

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Here is the post blog Dessert for today – IT’S CHRISTMAS. Hallelujah. A newborn king.

Try this SIMPLE recipe for the best meatballs you will ever taste! Full instructions, easy to follow. Eye Candy for sure!