It had been long that I invited my extended family over for a meal together and Easter break provided that perfect opportunity. The thing with me is, I get into elaborate menu planning when I am having people over that it exhausts me! This time around, however, I decided to keep it simple. The menu was mainly Indian with just this easy Baked Meatballs in Cheese Sauce thrown in for variety. Very easy again, made with very few ingredients but full marks for taste. I served it on a bed of boiled linguine and it turned out just perfect. My family licked their plates clean and theres nothing more that makes me happy when I can feed my loved ones well. You go note the recipe!
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
Chicken mince - 500 gms
Dried oregano - 1 tsp
Dried thyme - 1
Chilli flakes - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste
Olive oil - 1 tbsp.
For the sauce :
Onion - 1 medium - finely chopped
Garlic - 2-3 fat cloves - minced
Readymade pasta sauce - 4 tbsp. - I used the red tomato based sauce
Heavy Cream - 1 cup
Butter - 1 tbsp.
Grated parmesan - 1/2 cup
Boiled linguine or spaghetti or even penne would do fine - to serve the meatballs.
Method:
Mix all the ingredients listed under meatballs and roll the mince into small balls.
Line a baking tray with foil or butter paper, assemble the meatballs and bake in a preheated oven for 10-15 mins at 180 degree C.
Once the meatballs are done, remove from the oven and keep aside.
In a pan , heat the butter. Lightly sauté the garlic and onion mince. Add the readymade pasta sauce and fry for 2-3 mins. season with salt and pepper. Or use any herb of your choice.
Lastly mix in the heavy cream and simmer the sauce gently.
In a baking dish arrange the baked meatballs, pour the sauce over it, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese on top and bake for 10-15 mins or till the cheese has melted and browned lightly.
Serve on a bed on linguine or spaghetti or any other pasta of your choice. Garnish with oregano ,chilli flakes and some fresh basil leaves.
Well it cant get easier than this.