Irresistible Meatballs with Potatoes and Cheese Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with these hearty meatballs swimming in a creamy, cheese-infused potato casserole.

Tender ground beef blends perfectly with aromatic herbs and spices.

Each bite promises a delightful combination of juicy meatballs nestled among soft, golden potatoes.

The melted cheese creates a rich, irresistible sauce that ties every ingredient together.

Home cooks and hungry families will appreciate this simple yet satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly.

Served hot and bubbling straight from the oven, this dish guarantees smiles around the dinner table.

Prepare to experience a classic comfort meal that will become a cherished family favorite.

Meatballs, Potatoes & Cheese: The Tasty Trio Awaits

• Dive into a hearty dish that wraps you in warmth with its rich, creamy bechamel and perfectly seasoned meatballs.
• Master a restaurant-worthy meal with basic ingredients and straightforward steps that even beginner cooks can nail confidently.
• Create a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies everyone from kids to adults, packed with delicious layers of meat, potatoes, and cheesy goodness.
• Enjoy a complete meal in a single baking dish, minimizing kitchen cleanup and maximizing flavor with minimal effort.

Essentials For Meatballs With Potatoes And Cheese

• Beef: A flavorful and lean protein that forms the core of the meatballs.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the meatball mixture.
• Parsley: Provides a fresh, herbal note to the meat mixture.

• Butter: Creates a rich base for the bechamel sauce.
• Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the bechamel sauce.
• Milk: Provides creamy smoothness to the bechamel sauce.
• Cheese: Adds a golden, melty topping that enhances the overall flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Nutmeg: Provide essential seasoning and warm, complex flavor to both the meatballs and bechamel sauce.

• Potatoes: Serve as a hearty base and side for the meatballs, creating a complete and satisfying dish.

Must-Have Tools For A Savory Meatball Bake

• Skillet: Essential for melting butter and making bechamel sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending flour and milk without lumps.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for combining meatball ingredients and shaping them.
• Round casserole dish: Key for layering potatoes and baking the entire dish.
• Cutting board: Helpful for chopping onions and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing potatoes and preparing ingredients.
• Cheese grater: Optional for grating fresh cheese topping.

Cooking Up Meatballs With Potatoes & Cheese, Simplified

Step 1: Create Creamy Bechamel Base

In a skillet, gently melt butter until it becomes silky and golden.

Sprinkle flour into the melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth paste.

Cook this mixture for about 6 minutes, stirring constantly until it develops a light golden color.

Warm milk in a separate pan until it’s steaming but not boiling.

Gradually pour the milk into the butter-flour mixture, whisking between each addition to ensure a velvety consistency.

Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a hint of nutmeg for depth of flavor.

Step 2: Prepare Oven and Meat Mixture

Fire up the oven to 400°F, creating the perfect cooking environment.

• Ground beef
• Finely chopped onion
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Black pepper

Gently mix the ingredients and form into round, uniform meatballs, ensuring each one is compact and well-seasoned.

Step 3: Build the Casserole Foundation

Select a round casserole dish and create a delicious base by layering potato slices across the bottom and up the sides.

This will create a crispy, golden border for your dish.

Step 4: Arrange Protein and Potatoes

Carefully place the prepared meatballs on top of the potato layer.

Strategically tuck additional potato slices between each meatball to maximize flavor and texture.

Step 5: Blanket with Bechamel

Pour the luxurious bechamel sauce evenly over the meatballs and potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 6: Finish and Bake

Generously sprinkle cheese over the top of the casserole.

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the cheese melts into a bubbly, appetizing layer.

Pro Secrets For Dreamy, Cheesy Meatballs Every Time

• Whisk flour and butter slowly to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky smooth sauce every time.
• Slice potatoes uniformly for even cooking and an attractive presentation in the casserole dish.
• Mix ingredients gently to keep meatballs tender, avoiding overworking the meat which can make them tough.
• Choose a melty cheese like gruyère or mozzarella for maximum flavor and golden, bubbly topping.
• Balance nutmeg carefully in both meatballs and bechamel to enhance the overall dish without overpowering.

Ways To Reinvent Your Cheesy Potato Meatballs

• Vegetarian Meatballs: Replace beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils, mushrooms, or tofu, mixed with breadcrumbs and spices for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour for bechamel sauce and replace regular breadcrumbs with almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap potatoes with cauliflower slices and use a lighter cheese like mozzarella to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining a similar texture and flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate Greek-inspired ingredients like feta cheese, oregano, and lamb instead of beef to create a regional flavor variation with enhanced Mediterranean notes.

Bringing Meatballs & Potatoes To The Table With Flair

• Rustic Family Feast: Serve this hearty dish directly from the casserole dish for a warm, comforting family-style meal that feels like a hug on a plate.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra sharp cheddar or gruyere on top just before serving to enhance the rich, melty cheese experience and add depth to the flavor profile.
• Perfect Pairing Plate: Complement the meatballs with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts to balance the rich, creamy texture of the dish.
• Wine Companion: Match this robust meal with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Chianti, which will beautifully cut through the creamy bechamel and highlight the savory meatballs.

How To Keep Cheesy Meatball Bakes Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent moisture loss and bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled meatballs and potatoes to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal carefully, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• How do I make sure my meatballs stay moist and tender?

Use ground beef with a slightly higher fat content (around 15-20%), mix ingredients gently without overworking the meat, and avoid overcooking. The bechamel sauce also helps keep the meatballs juicy during baking.

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, gruyère, mozzarella, or a sharp cheddar work well. Choose a cheese that melts nicely and complements the rich bechamel sauce and beef flavors.

• Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and bechamel sauce ahead of time, assemble the casserole, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Meatballs with Potatoes and Cheese Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Swedish meatballs with potatoes and cheese bring Nordic comfort to dinner tables worldwide. Savory spheres nestled alongside creamy potatoes create a hearty meal sure to satisfy hungry diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1.12 pounds ground beef
• 3 Russet potatoes, peeled and parboiled
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella

Vegetables and Spices:

• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 pinch dried paprika
• 1 pinch dried parsley
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Bechamel Sauce Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons (74 milliliters) butter
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) milk
• 4 tablespoons (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Craft the velvety bechamel sauce by melting butter in a skillet, then gradually incorporating flour. Whisk continuously for approximately 6 minutes until the mixture turns golden and fragrant.
2. Gently heat milk in a separate pan until it reaches near-boiling temperature. Slowly integrate the warm milk into the flour mixture, whisking thoroughly between each addition to ensure a smooth consistency.
3. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Season with salt, black pepper, and a hint of nutmeg for depth of flavor.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F, preparing for the final baking stage.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with finely chopped onion, fresh parsley, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Gently form the mixture into uniform meatballs.
6. Select a round casserole dish and create a base layer of thinly sliced potatoes, carefully lining the bottom and sides of the dish.
7. Strategically place the prepared meatballs atop the potato layer, interspersing additional potato slices between each meatball for even distribution.
8. Generously pour the prepared bechamel sauce over the meatballs and potatoes, ensuring complete coverage.
9. Sprinkle a layer of cheese over the top and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the surface turns golden brown and the cheese melts completely.

Notes

• Sauce Secrets Whisk the bechamel constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth texture that coats every ingredient perfectly.
• Potato Power Choose starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for better layering and a creamy interior that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
• Meat Management Use ground beef with 15-20% fat content to ensure juicy, tender meatballs that won’t dry out during baking.
• Flavor Boost Add a pinch of garlic powder or grated Parmesan to the meatball mixture for an extra depth of savory goodness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg