Meatballs with Cheese, Tomatoes & Beans Traybake Recipe
Introduction
This Meatballs with Cheese, Tomatoes & Beans traybake is a quick and hearty meal, ready in just 30 minutes. Packed with protein and two of your five daily servings of vegetables, it’s perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 270g pack cherry vine tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 336g pack beef, tomato & red pepper meatballs
- 400g can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 100g thick cut cavolo nero
- 50g grated cheddar & mozzarella
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200ºC (gas mark 6). On a large non-stick baking tray, toss the halved tomatoes, sliced garlic, and olive oil together.
- Step 2: Add the meatballs to the tray, spreading everything out evenly. Roast for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Remove the tray from the oven and stir in the cannellini beans and cavolo nero, making sure they’re coated in the roasting juices. Season to taste.
- Step 4: Scatter the grated cheese over the top and return the tray to the oven. Roast for a further 10 minutes, ensuring the meatballs are fully cooked with no pink inside.
- Step 5: Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread and a green salad if you like.
Tips & Variations
- Try stirring shredded cavolo nero leaves into soups or stews during the last 5 minutes of cooking to add extra greens to your diet.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute meatballs with plant-based alternatives and use vegetable stock.
- Adding a pinch of chili flakes before roasting can give the dish a nice subtle heat.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or microwave before serving. This dish is best enjoyed fresh but keeps well for a quick next-day meal.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other types of beans in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute cannellini beans with other white beans like navy or great northern beans, or even chickpeas for a different texture.
How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?
Make sure the meatballs are cooked through by checking that there are no pink areas inside and the juices run clear. The cheese on top should be melted and lightly golden.
PrintMeatballs with Cheese, Tomatoes & Beans Traybake Recipe
This hearty and nutritious traybake recipe combines juicy beef meatballs with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, cannellini beans, and cavolo nero, all topped with a melted blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a protein-packed meal that also provides two of your five daily servings of vegetables, perfect for a wholesome family dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: Serves 3
- Category: Main meal
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: High Protein
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 270g pack Waitrose Cherry Vine Tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 100g thick cut cavolo nero
Meat and Dairy
- 336g pack Eat Flexi: 12 Beef, Tomato & Red Pepper Meatballs
- 50g Waitrose Grated Cheddar & Mozzarella
Pantry
- 1 tbsp Essential Olive Oil
- 400g can Essential Cannellini Beans, rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 200ºC (gas mark 6). On a large non-stick baking tray, toss the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced garlic, and olive oil together to coat evenly.
- Roast Meatballs and Tomatoes: Arrange the beef meatballs evenly on the tray alongside the tomatoes and garlic. Place the tray in the oven and roast for 10 minutes to begin cooking the meatballs and soften the tomatoes.
- Add Beans and Greens: Remove the tray, then stir the rinsed cannellini beans and thick cut cavolo nero into the roasting juices on the tray to ensure they are well coated. Season everything to taste.
- Top with Cheese and Roast Again: Scatter the grated cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the tray contents. Return the tray to the oven and roast for a further 10 minutes, making sure the meatballs are cooked through with no pink in the center and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs and vegetables hot, optionally accompanied by crusty bread and a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
Notes
- Leftovers can be reheated and enjoyed as a quick meal the next day.
- Cavolo nero is versatile – add shredded leaves to soups and stews in the last 5 minutes of cooking for added nutrition.
- Ensure the meatballs are fully cooked before serving, with no pink inside.
- For a gluten-free meal, serve with gluten-free bread or a side of your choice.
Keywords: meatballs, traybake, beef meatballs, roasted tomatoes, cannellini beans, cavolo nero, cheddar mozzarella blend, high protein, quick dinner, healthy meal
