Doubly Cheesy Meatball Bake

Name: Doubly Cheesy Meatball Bake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 c. packed torn crustless stale white bread; 1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese; 1/3 c. finely chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish; 3 cloves garlic, crushed with press; 2 lb. ground lamb or beef chuck (80% lean); 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes; 1 c. lower-sodium beef or chicken broth; 2 tbsp. fresh oregano leaves; 2 bay leaves; 1 1/2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese

By The Good Housekeeping Test KitchenPublished: Feb 24, 2017

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Mike Garten

Yields:

6 serving(s)

Prep Time:

15 mins

Cook Time:

1 hr 30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Juicy beef (or lamb!) meatballs, covered in gooey mozzarella cheese sounds like the perfect dish to share with the family tonight.

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Ingredients

2 cups packed torn crustless stale white bread
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint, plus more for garnish
3 cloves garlic, crushed with press
2 lb. ground lamb or beef chuck (80% lean)
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 cup lower-sodium beef or chicken broth
2 Tbsp. fresh oregano leaves
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, soak bread in cold water 20 minutes. Squeeze out and discard excess water from bread.
2. Step 2To bowl with soaked bread, add feta, mint, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper, tossing to combine. Add lamb and mix until just combined; form into twelve 2-inch meatballs.
3. Step 3In 12-inch cast-iron skillet, heat oil on medium-high. Add meatballs; cook 10 minutes, turning until browned on two sides. Transfer to large plate. Pour off excess fat from pan, leaving thin coating; scrape up any browned bits and reduce heat to med. To skillet, add onion; cook 5 minutes, stirring. Add tomatoes, broth, oregano, bay leaves and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring to combine. Heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to simmer; cook 15 minutes or until reduced slightly, stirring often. Add meatballs to tomato sauce; top with mozzarella cheese. Transfer skillet to oven; bake 20 minutes. Reset oven to broil on high; broil 3 minutes or until cheese has browned. Garnish with mint.

Nutritional information (per serving): About 495 calories, 42 g protein, 25 g carbs, 27 g fat (12 g saturated fat), 4 g fiber, 1,015 mg sodium

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