Meatballs are not just a sidekick to spaghetti anymore. These meatballs are covered in a creamy, cheesy bechamel sauce that takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness. Served with a crusty loaf of garlic bread, these meatballs steal the show every time.

A Mouthwatering Combination

The method for making these meatballs is similar to what you’re probably used to. You mix your ingredients, shape them into balls, and bake them in the oven. But what sets these meatballs apart is the bechamel sauce. Bechamel sauce is a basic white sauce made with flour and butter, and it’s creamy, smooth, and utterly irresistible. And when you top it with a little bit of cheese, it becomes even more amazing. You coat the meatballs in the sauce, sprinkle them with cheese, and pop them back in the oven.

A Sensational Dish

When the meatballs emerge from the oven, they are bubbly, browned, and absolutely amazing. The meatballs themselves are hearty but not dense, with a hint of herbs that adds a bright contrast to the rich cheesiness of the sauce. Trust us, they’re hard to resist. So go ahead and indulge yourself.

Cheesy Bechamel-Covered Meatballs

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

Meatballs:

• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 3/4 pound ground pork
• 1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Sauce:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, egg, milk, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until fully combined.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a large baking sheet.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned on the outside.
5. While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the roux is golden and smooth.
6. Continuing to whisk, stir in the whole milk. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, or until thickened.
7. Remove the meatballs from the oven and transfer them to a baking dish or oven-proof skillet. Cover them with the bechamel sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top.
8. Return the meatballs to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are cooked all the way through and the cheese is melted.
9. Remove from the oven and serve hot with garlic bread.

Recipe adapted from The View From Great Island

These irresistible cheesy bechamel-covered meatballs are guaranteed to take your taste buds on a delightful journey. Give them a try and experience the magic for yourself!