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Meatball Spaghetti Gratin

Meatball Spaghetti Gratin
This dish wraps you in warmth from the first bite—juicy meatballs snuggled into a velvety cream sauce, all crowned with a crisp, buttery gratin topping. It’s the kind of meal that speaks in comfort, layering rich flavors without shouting. Every forkful feels like a hug for your taste buds, simple yet deeply satisfying. Perfect for nights when you crave something honest and soulful, no fancy tricks, just pure, nostalgic goodness.
Ingredients
  • 500g / 1 pound spaghetti
  • 60g / 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 30g / 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 450g / 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 large egg
  • 60g / 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 5g / 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2g / 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1g / 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 375ml / 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 vegetable broth cube
  • 225g / 2 cups grated cheddar cheese (31% fat)
  • 0.5g / 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.5g / 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C or 375°F.

2. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente then set it aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl combine the ground beef egg breadcrumbs flour salt black pepper oregano and a pinch of paprika. Mix well with your hands until just combined do not overmix.

4. Use your hands to shape the mixture into meatballs about 3.8 cm or 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5. Melt 15g or 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted add the diced onion and cook until softened about 5 minutes. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides about 5-7 minutes.

6. Add the vegetable broth cube to the skillet scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Stir in 240ml or 1 cup of milk and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened slightly.

7. In a separate saucepan melt the remaining 15g or 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat. Stir in 15g or 1 tablespoon of flour to make a roux cooking for 1 minute. Gradually add 115g or 1 cup of grated cheese stirring until smooth and creamy. Season with salt black pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

8. In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked spaghetti meatballs and creamy cheese sauce. Mix well to combine.

9. Transfer the spaghetti mixture to a 23cm x 33cm or 9x13-inch baking dish and top with the remaining grated cheese.

10. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the gratin is hot and bubbly.

Tools
  • mixing bowl
  • baking sheet
  • parchment paper
  • large skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • saucepan
  • whisk
  • 9x13-inch baking dish

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