Potatoes with Meatballs and Cheese: A Comfort Food Classic
Potatoes with meatballs and cheese is a heartwarming dish that combines three universally loved ingredients into a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Soft, creamy potatoes form the perfect base for juicy, savory meatballs, all topped with a layer of gooey, melted cheese.
This recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion when you’re craving comfort food that’s both simple to prepare and guaranteed to please.
Whether baked as a casserole or served in individual portions, this dish offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients :
THE DISH:
3 potatoes, peeled and boiled
1 white onion
1 package of ground beef
1 teaspoon of chopped parsley
1 pinch of paprika
1 large bag of shredded mozzarella
Bechamel sauce
salt
pepper
BECHAMEL SAUCE:
5 tablespoons of butter
4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
4 cups of milk
2 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
Preparation :
. Before anything else, we’re going to make a basic béchamel sauce for use later in the recipe! First, get a medium saucepan and melt your butter over medium-low heat. Add in flour and stir it all up until it gets smooth.
Keep cooking your mixture until it all turns a light golden color, for about six or seven minutes.
. In the meantime, heat your milk in a separate pan until it’s almost at a boil.
Once it’s hot enough, gradually add your hot milk one cup at a time to the butter, continually whisking the entire time until it’s smooth. Once all the milk is incorporated, bring the whole thing to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, stirring it constantly.
Season it at the end with salt and nutmeg and you’re good to go!
. Now that your sauce is ready, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Next, get a big bowl and throw in your package of beef along with your chopped parsley and paprika.
Add a little bit of salt and pepper as well. Once all the ingredients are together, mix together all the ingredients until they’re evenly combined.
Next, peel three potatoes and boil them until they’re semi-soft, around seven minutes.
Once they’re ready, take them out and chop them into slices, arranging them around the bottom of a round glass baking dish.
Lay one layer flat on the bottom and arrange ano5ther layer around the sides as well.
After that, get your meat mixture and work it into ice cream scoop-sized meatballs—the entire thing should form about 15 meatballs.
Next, arrange them on your slices of potato that you laid out earlier.
Once you’ve got your meatballs placed together, use your remaining slices of potato to put walls between the meatballs so each one has its own compartment.
Pour your béchamel sauce into each one of the “compartments” until it’s relatively full and top the entire thing with a thin layer of shredded mozzarella.
Finally, throw the entire dish in your preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Once it’s done, you’ll have a deliciously cheesy and creamy French casserole-style dish that the whole family will love!
Tips
Perfectly Cooked Potatoes: Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes for this dish, as they hold their shape well when baked.
Slice them evenly to ensure uniform cooking. Pre-boiling the potatoes for a few minutes can help speed up baking time and achieve a creamier texture.
Juicy Meatballs: Use a mix of ground beef and pork for meatballs with the perfect balance of flavor and moisture.
Adding breadcrumbs and eggs to the mixture ensures the meatballs stay tender.
Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic, and your favorite herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor.
Variations
Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture for a spicy twist.
You can also use a spicy marinara sauce as a base layer before adding the potatoes and meatballs.
Vegetarian Option: Replace meatballs with plant-based meat alternatives or roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, or mushrooms.
Layer with potatoes and cheese for a delicious meat-free version.
How to Store
Refrigerating Leftovers: Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, covering with foil to prevent the cheese from drying out.
Freezing for Later: For longer storage, portion the dish into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave.
Conclusion
Potatoes with meatballs and cheese is a dish that brings comfort and joy to the table.
Its rich combination of creamy potatoes, savory meatballs, and melted cheese creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying, it’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
With endless possibilities for customization and proper storage tips, this recipe is perfect for meal prepping or adapting to suit different tastes.
Whether served at a family dinner or enjoyed as leftovers, this hearty dish is sure to become a household favorite.
ENJOY !!