Name: Cheesy Bean and Meatball Casserole with Mashed Potato Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 1kg potatoes; 1 tbs olive oil; 1 brown onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 2 sprigs thyme; 400g tin diced tomatoes; 400ml tomato passata; 1 tsp balsamic vinegar; 555g Baked Beanz can; 1 1/2 cups tasty cheese, grated; 50g butter; 500g mince; 1 tbs thyme leaves; 1 clove garlic, crushed; 1 egg; 30g parmesan, finely grated; 1/4 cup bread crumbs; 2 tbs olive oil

by Greer Worsley Last updated on 10/21/2019

With tasty meatballs, a rich tomato sauce, baked beans and cheesy mash, there’s something in this dish to please everyone. Serve some green vegies on the side for a wholesome meal, and any leftovers will be great the next day for lunch. - Greer Worsley

Ingredients

1kg potatoes
1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 sprigs thyme
400g tin diced tomatoes
400ml tomato passata
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
555g Heinz Baked Beanz can
1 1/2 cups tasty cheese, grated
50g butter

Meatballs

500g mince
1 tbs thyme leaves
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 egg
30g parmesan, finely grated
1/4 cup bread crumbs
2 tbs olive oil

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180C.
Step 2

Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Place in a saucepan with 1 tsp salt. Cover with cold water and boil for 15 - 20 minutes until tender.
Step 3

Meanwhile, to make meatballs, combine mince, thyme, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs and plenty of salt and pepper in a bowl. It is easiest to use your hands for this. Form into ping-pong sized balls. Heat the oil in a large frypan over medium heat. Brown meatballs well, then remove to a plate.
Step 4

Clean out frypan, return to heat and add 1 tbs olive oil. Cook onion, garlic and thyme for 4 - 5 minutes until soft. Add tinned tomatoes, passata, balsamic vinegar and baked beans. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fold through 1/2 cup cheese.
Step 5

Place browned meatballs into tomato and bean sauce and simmer for a further 5 minutes. Transfer to an oven-proof dish.
Step 6

Drain potatoes and mash roughly with 1/2 cup cheese and butter. Dollop onto meatballs and sprinkle over remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
Step 7

Serve with green vegetables.

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

If you’re in a hurry, skip the oven and serve the meatballs and sauce with mashed potato on the side. You may need to simmer the meatballs in the sauce for an extra 5 minutes to ensure they are cooked through. The meatballs and sauce are delicious served with pasta as well!