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Rustic Meatballs and Peppers Recipe

Rustic Meatballs and Peppers Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 28 reviews

This Rustic Meatballs and Peppers recipe offers a hearty, comforting dish featuring juicy Carando Mozzarella Rustica meatballs simmered with sweet onions, colorful bell peppers, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs in a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 package Carando Mozzarella Rustica meatballs
  • 1 whole sweet onion, peeled and cubed
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 whole red bell pepper, seeded and cubed
  • 1 whole green bell pepper, seeded and cubed
  • 1 small package white mushrooms, cut in half
  • 5 pieces dry porcini mushrooms

Liquids and Sauces

  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

Herbs and Cheese

  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (1 ½ cups for baking and ½ cup for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs and peppers dish.
  2. Sauté aromatics: In a sauté pan, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed onions and minced garlic, cooking until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
  3. Add remaining ingredients: Stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, red and green bell peppers, white mushrooms, dry porcini mushrooms, white wine, tomato sauce, oregano, and the package of meatballs. Lightly stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Transfer to baking dish: Grease a 9″x13″ glass baking dish. Pour the sauté and simmered mixture into the dish evenly. Sprinkle 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.
  5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the meatballs are cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  6. Final topping and serve: Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese on top while still hot, then serve immediately. Enjoy your rustic, cheesy meatball meal!

Notes

  • Use a glass baking dish to ensure even cooking and easy cleanup.
  • Dry porcini mushrooms add deep, earthy flavor; rehydrate them if preferred before cooking.
  • You can substitute mozzarella cheese with a low-fat variant for a lighter dish.
  • Pair with crusty bread or a side of pasta for a complete meal.
  • For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes during the tomato sauce simmer.

Nutrition

Keywords: meatballs, peppers, Italian recipe, baked meatballs, rustic dinner, mozzarella, tomato sauce, Carando meatballs

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/rustic-meatballs-and-peppers-recipe/