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Cheesy meatball traybake recipe

Cheesy meatball traybake recipe

120 ratings

Sponsored by Birra Moretti

Packed with rich Italian flavours, this oozy meatball orzo traybake recipe is the ultimate comfort food for chilly weather. Make ahead and freeze, or prep and cook in under an hour for a simple yet super-satisfying supper. See method

  • Serves 4
  • Takes 55 mins
  • 511 calories / serving
  • Freezable

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
  • 336g pack 12 beef meatballs
  • 500ml tomato passata
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 200g orzo
  • 75g reduced-fat salad cheese, crumbled
  • 15g fresh basil leaves (optional)

Perfect with:

  • Birra Moretti Premium Lager Beer Bottle 12x330ml
    A well-balanced lager, perfect with Italian cuisine
  • Birra Moretti Zero Alcohol Free Beer 4 x 330ml
    A non-alcoholic beer with hoppy and citrus notes

Perfect with:

  • Birra Moretti Premium Lager Beer Bottle 12x330ml
    A well-balanced lager, perfect with Italian cuisine
  • Birra Moretti Zero Alcohol Free Beer 4 x 330ml
    A non-alcoholic beer with hoppy and citrus notes

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    Each serving contains

    • Energy

      2140kj
      511kcal       26%

    • Fat

      22g 31%

    • Saturates

      8g 42%

    • Sugars

      12g 14%

    • Salt

      1.6g 26%

    of the reference intake
    Carbohydrate 51.4g Protein 26.2g Fibre 2.7g

    Method

    1. Preheat the oven to gas 5, 190°C, fan 170°C. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5-7 mins until starting to soften. Add the meatballs and cook for 8-10 mins more, turning occasionally, until browned. Pour in the passata and 200ml water, then stir in the tomato purée, bay leaf and sugar. Season and bring to a simmer. Transfer to a roasting tin and bake for 10 mins.
    2. Rinse the orzo under cold water. Drain well, then stir into the meatball mixture. Bake for 20 minutes.
    3. Remove from oven and give everything a good stir. Scatter over the cheese and return to the oven to bake for a further 10-12 mins or until cooked. If you like, you can pop it under the grill for the final 2-3 mins to brown the cheese. Scatter over the basil to serve, if using.

    Freezing and defrosting guidelines

    Cook as instructed and allow to cool completely. Then transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container, seal and freeze for up to 1-3 months. To serve, defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight before reheating. To reheat and serve, place on medium heat, stirring occasionally until the dish is heated through.

    See more Italian recipes

    For top tips on protecting you and your family when preparing raw meat and poultry, visit Food Safety in the Home.

    Drinkaware

    Birra Moretti L'Autentica and Birra Moretti Sale Di Mare are brewed in the UK. Birra Moretti Zero is brewed in the Netherlands. Birra Moretti Zero contains ≤ 0.05% ABV.

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