Baked Pork, Apple & Cheddar Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Name: Baked Pork, Apple & Cheddar Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 500 g pork mince; 125 g extra-mature cheddar; 3 eating apples grated; 75 g dried breadcrumbs; 680 g passata; 1 egg, beaten; 3 large garlic cloves, crushed; 2 tbsp milk; 1 tbsp olive oil; 25 g unsalted butter; 2 tsp dried mixed herbs; 1 tsp garlic granules; 1 tsp onion granules; 1 tsp caster sugar; 1 tsp chilli flakes; 1 handful small handful of basil roughly chopped; 1 serving crusty bread and salad, to serve

Juicy pork meatballs infused with sweet grated apple and stuffed with gooey cheddar cheese, all baked in a rich, herb-flecked tomato sauce. A comforting family dinner that's perfect served with crusty bread and a fresh salad.

Servings4 Portions

Prep Time30 Mins

Cook Time60 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

pork mince
500 g
extra-mature cheddar
125 g
eating apples grated
3
dried breadcrumbs
75 g
passata
680 g
egg, beaten
1
large garlic cloves, crushed
3
milk
2 tbsp
olive oil
1 tbsp
unsalted butter
25 g
dried mixed herbs
2 tsp
garlic granules
1 tsp
onion granules
1 tsp
caster sugar
1 tsp
chilli flakes
1 tsp
small handful of basil roughly chopped
1 handful
crusty bread and salad, to serve
1 serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the dried breadcrumbs, milk, and grated apples. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to soften.

Prepare the cheese by cutting 100g of the cheddar into 20 small cubes. Coarsely grate the remaining 25g of cheese and set it aside for the topping.

Add the pork mince, dried mixed herbs, garlic granules, onion granules, and beaten egg to the breadcrumb mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper, then mix thoroughly using your hands.

Divide the mixture into 20 portions (about 40-45g each). Roll into balls, then flatten slightly. Press a cube of cheese into the center of each portion and roll back into a ball, ensuring the cheese is completely enclosed.

Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. In a large ovenproof frying pan, heat the olive oil and butter over low heat. Add the crushed garlic and chilli flakes, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.