Estate Dinners

Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball

Name: Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground lamb; 2 large shallots, peeled and minced, about 3 tablespoons; 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 1 tablespoon; 2 tablespoons prepared chili sauce; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper; 4 ounces fresh Mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 (½-inch) pieces, about 1 cup; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small onion, peeled and finely diced, about ½ cup; 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 1 tablespoon; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; ¼ cup prepared chili sauce; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil Swirl the olive oil into the bottom of a pot over medium heat. Stir the onion and garlic in the oil and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes and chili sauce. Stir in the basil. Season with salt and pepper.

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The Strategy:

These savory lamb meatballs are stuffed with a surprise center of melted mozzarella cheese, creating a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Roast the spiced meatballs in the oven, then serve them smothered in a rich, homemade tomato and basil sauce. Finish the dish with a swirl of creamy blue cheese dressing for a bold pop of flavor.

Serves: 8-10 | Total Time: 35 minutes till it's ready

Ingredients

Meatball Mixture

2 pounds ground lamb
2 large shallots, peeled and minced, about 3 tablespoons
4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 1 tablespoon
2 tablespoons prepared chili sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Filling and Cooking

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
4 ounces fresh Mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 (½-inch) pieces, about 1 cup

Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and finely diced, about ½ cup
4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 1 tablespoon
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
¼ cup prepared chili sauce
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Raw cooking ingredients for Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball arranged beautifully on a clean kitchen counter.

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°.
Place the lamb into a large bowl.
Cover with shallots, garlic, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Blend the seasonings into the lamb with your hands.
Divide the lamb into 12 portions.
Roll each portion into a ball. Poke a hole in the center of each meatball and insert a chunk of cheese.
Roll the meat back around the cheese.
Place each meatball onto a baking sheet with lip that has been coated with vegetable oil spray.
Place the pan into the oven and roast until the meatballs are cooked through, about 20 minutes.

Sauce

Swirl the olive oil into the bottom of a pot over medium heat.
Stir the onion and garlic in the oil and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Pour in the tomatoes and chili sauce.
Stir in the basil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Place the meatballs into a bowl.
Pour the tomato sauce over top.
Garnish the dish with a swirl of creamy blue cheese dressing.

Home cook prepared steps for assembling and cooking Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball.

The full recipe lives in the Vault

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Sunday Know How

Prepare the blue cheese dressing for this and other recipes using a food processor. Place blue cheese or Gorgonzola cheese into the bowl. Add dollops (you decide how much) of sour cream and mayonnaise. Add a bit of mustard, a squeeze of lemon juice and some fresh herbs if you like. Pulse to combine everything. Season with salt and pepper. It's just that easy!

The Heart of the Table

This warm, comforting dish of meatballs and rich red sauce brings a sense of Italian-style family comfort to the table. The sight of melted cheese stretching as guests help themselves adds a fun, interactive element that gets everyone talking.

An appetizing, fresh serving of cooked Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball displayed beautifully on a styled dining table.

The Art of the Host

a heavy-duty die-cast aluminum lemon squeezer with an enamel finish
an instant-read digital meat thermometer with a backlit display
a pair of professional-grade stainless steel locking kitchen tongs
a set of organic, hand-glazed stoneware soup bowls in a soft sage green
a pair of hand-carved olivewood serving tongs with a polished finish
a fine-blade microplane zester with an ergonomic soft-grip handle

Neighborly Grace

THE PRESENTATION: Present the meatballs in a shallow stoneware bowl, spooning the tomato sauce over top and drizzling the blue cheese dressing in a decorative swirl.
THE POUR: Pair with a medium-bodied Chianti or a sparkling pomegranate-lime pressé.
THE VIBE: Warm Dining Room. Flickering candles, soft Italian music, and the rich scent of simmering tomatoes set a cozy, welcoming mood for a relaxed dinner.

Chef’s Recommendations

Bread for the Sauce: Cheesy Garlic Muffins
Something Sharp Beside It: Fried Baby Artichokes
The Opener That Matches: Roasted Red Pepper Spread & Baked Kale Chips
The Lighter Side: Watermelon Beet Caprese Salad with Peach Vinaigrette

The Estate Table

Build tonight’s menu around this dish.

✦ Set the Table

Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball

Now That’s a Cheesy Lamb Meatball

The full recipe lives in the Vault

The Heart of the Table

The Art of the Host

Neighborly Grace

✨ The Estate Swaps