Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme
- 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese (optional, for a French twist)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- Make the meatballs:
In a large bowl, mix together the ground meat, breadcrumbs, milk, egg, garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and herbs. Roll the mixture into meatballs (about the size of a golf ball). - Brown the meatballs:
Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Don’t cook through — just get a good crust. - Assemble the bake:
Place the browned meatballs in the baking dish. Pour marinara sauce over them, then sprinkle mozzarella and Gruyère on top. - Bake:
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is bubbling and golden on top. - Garnish & serve:
Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve hot with crusty French bread or over pasta.
Would you like a fancy description to go with it, or maybe a twist like using béchamel sauce for an extra French vibe?