Baked Meatballs with Potatoes

Baked meatballs with potatoes are a comforting and tasty dish. Here is the recipe to make them, with an Italian touch.

Ingredients

• 500 g ground meat (mixed beef and pork if you prefer a richer flavor)
• 2 eggs
• 80 g breadcrumbs
• 50 g grated Parmesan
• 2 garlic cloves
• Fresh parsley to taste
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 kg potatoes
• Extra-virgin olive oil to taste
• Fresh rosemary to taste (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 200 °C.
2. Prepare the meatballs by mixing the ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, finely chopped garlic, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper to taste in a bowl. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
3. Shape the mixture into walnut-sized meatballs and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each one.
4. Peel the potatoes and cut them into regular pieces, not too large, to ensure even cooking.
5. In a bowl, season the potatoes with extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and, if desired, a little chopped fresh rosemary.
6. Arrange the potatoes on the same tray as the meatballs, around them, so that the potatoes can also absorb the flavors released during cooking.
7. Bake everything and cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden and the potatoes are cooked through. Halfway through cooking, you can turn the meatballs and stir the potatoes to ensure even browning.
8. Once cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Interesting Facts

Meatballs are a classic of Italian cuisine, but variations can be found in many culinary cultures around the world. In Italy, meatballs are traditionally served as a main course or, in a smaller version, as part of a pasta dish. Baking is a lighter alternative to classic frying.

Enjoy your meal!