Comforting Mediterranean Meatball, Risoni & Mozzarella Bake
Comforting Mediterranean Meatball, Risoni & Mozzarella Bake
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 brown onion finely chopped
- 4 bacon rashers finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed or finely chopped
- 2 cups risoni about 400 g
- 400 g canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups chicken stock or beef stock
- 1 ball buffalo mozzarella torn into pieces (or use grated mozzarella)
Meatballs
- 500 g beef mince
- 1 brown onion small, grated
- 2 cloves garlic crushed or finely chopped
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons parsley leaves finely chopped, plus extra to serve
- 2 tablespoons mint leaves finely chopped
- 80 g feta cheese crumbled
- sea salt & cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- For the meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Season and mix really well. Using an ice cream scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs about the size of golf balls. You should get about 24 meatballs. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet or casserole dish over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the pan and brown them on all sides, turning gently to ensure even browning. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the onion, bacon and garlic until the onion is translucent and the bacon is cooked through. Add the risoni and cook for a few minutes until it starts to toast slightly. Stir in the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine and stock. Bring the mixture to the boil.
- Return the meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the risoni mixture. Bake uncovered for 12–14 minutes. Remove and arrange the buffalo mozzarella over the top (or generously sprinkle with grated mozzarella). Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Finish with some extra chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 683kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 31gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 623mgPotassium: 861mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 513IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 5mg
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