Parmesan Meatballs in Mozzarella Basil Cream Sauce
Servings 4 -6
Ingredients
- 12 oz orzo pasta
Parmesan Meatballs
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs *
- 1 cup finely freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup dried minced onion
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- a couple splashes of milk
Mozzarella Basil Cream Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small shallot
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk (I use lowfat)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup frozen petite peas, thawed
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup loosely packed flat leaf parsley, minced
- 10 basil leafs chiffonade**
Garnish (optional)
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
- fresh parsley
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Parmesan Meatballs: Preheat oven to 350F degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil (for easy cleanup). Add all of the Parmesan Meatball ingredients to a large bowl and mix until evenly combined. Form meatballs into heaping 1 tablespoon balls (approximately 40 meatballs).
- Lightly coat the bottom of a large nonstick skillet with olive oil and heat to medium high heat. Brown meatballs on all sides (I did mine in two batches), drain on paper towels then line on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 -15 minute or until cooked through.***
- Meanwhile, cook orzo pasta in generously salted water.
- Mozzarella Basil Cream Sauce: Whisk cornstarch with milk, set aside.
- Melt butter in olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Add shallots and garlic and sauté for 60 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook while stirring for 3 minutes then turn heat to low. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then mil (with cornstarch), then heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth. Turn heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer while stirring constantly. Stir in Dijon and dry spices and continue to simmer until almost thickened, stirring occasionally. Add peas and continue to simmer until thickened and peas are cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, followed by mozzarella cheese until melted. Stir in fresh basil and fresh parsley, followed by orzo and meatballs, adding additional milk if necessary to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or red pepper flakes to taste.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, and fresh parsley/basil and lemon (optional).
Notes
*Panko are Japanese breadcrumbs and can be fond next to the traditional breadcrumbs. **To see how to chiffonade basil, click HERE ***Alternatively you can bake meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through without browning first. ***You can refrigerate raw meatballs or meatballs once cooked to make this a super quick meal to throw together later.