Oven Roasted Meatballs

Introduction

This recipe explores the savoury flavours of perfectly seasoned, oven roasted meatballs. Bursting with flavour, these delicious meatballs are sure to be a winter-time favourite!

Ingredients

• 500 g beef mince
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs
• ¼ cup kale or basil pesto, plus extra to serve
• 4 garlic cloves, roughly shopped
• 1 bunch oregano leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 700 mL tomato passata
• 1 cup grated mozzarella
• Basil leaves, to serve

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Combine the mince, egg, breadcrumbs, pesto and ¼ chopped garlic in a bowl. Roughly chop half of the oregano and add it to the beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper, and then roll them into 6cm meatballs.
2. Heat some oil in a deep ovenproof frypan over a medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning them, for 6-7 minutes or until browned over. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
3. Add onion and the remaining garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add in the tomato passata, season, then bring it to a simmer.
4. Return the meatballs to the pan and sprinkle with some cheese and the remaining oregano. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is bubbling.
5. Serve with extra pesto and basil leaves.