If you’re looking for a mouth-watering dish that combines the rich flavors of pesto, the creaminess of burrata, and the savory goodness of meatballs, then look no further! This recipe for Cheesy Baked Pesto Meatballs with Burrata serves 5 and is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Let’s dive into the ingredients, cooking instructions, and some useful tips!
Cheesy Baked Pesto Meatballs with Burrata
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Additional Time:
5 minutes
Total Time:
5 minutes
Ingredients
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Pesto Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For Topping:
- 8 oz (225g) burrata cheese
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
- Grocery List
- Ground beef or turkey
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Eggs
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil
- Pine nuts or walnuts
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Burrata cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pesto Sauce
- Blend Ingredients: In a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend while slowly drizzling in olive oil until smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Meatballs
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, parsley, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Bake the Meatballs
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake: Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Step 4: Assemble the Dish
- Combine: In a large baking dish, spread half of the pesto sauce on the bottom. Place the baked meatballs on top, then drizzle the remaining pesto over them.
- Top with Burrata: Tear the burrata into pieces and place it on top of the meatballs.
- Bake Again: Return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes until the burrata is slightly melted.
Step 5: Serve
- Garnish: Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve warm with pasta, crusty bread, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Meat Options: Feel free to use ground chicken or pork for different flavors.
- Pesto Variations: You can use store-bought pesto if you’re short on time.
- Burrata Substitute: If burrata is unavailable, mozzarella cheese can be used as an alternative.
- Freezing: These meatballs freeze well! Prepare a batch and freeze them for later use.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 899Total Fat: 70gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 44gCholesterol: 218mgSodium: 1084mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 47g
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