Cheesy Lean Beef Meatballs And Garlic Ciabatta

Preheat the oven to 220ºC/ 200ºC (fan)/ gas 7

Boil a kettle

Peel and finely chop half your brown onion[s]

Grate the remaining onion

Combine your mince, grated onion, panko breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl and give everything a good mix up (clean hands is the best way!)

Divide the meatball mixture and shape them into 7 meatballs per person.

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick with a matching lid) with a drizzle of vegetable oil over a high heat

Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for 4 min, turning occasionally, or until they're browned all over

Meanwhile, peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Dissolve your beef stock mix in 70ml [90ml] [120ml] boiled water

Once the meatballs are browned, transfer them to a plate and return the pan to a medium heat

Once hot, add the chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 3-4 min or until beginning to soften

Add half the chopped garlic (save the rest for later!) and cook for 1 min further

Add your chopped tomatoes, beef stock, half your balsamic vinegar (save the rest for later!) with 1/2 tbsp [3/4 tbsp] [1 tbsp] sugar

Increase the heat to medium-high, then return the browned meatballs to the pan and cook, covered, for 6 min or until the sauce has thickened

Meanwhile, drain your mozzarella and tear it into rough pieces

Once the sauce has thickened, transfer the meatballs and sauce to an oven-proof dish (or individual dishes)

Top with the torn mozzarella and put the dish in the oven for 8-10 min or until melted and bubbling and the meatballs is cooked through (no pink meat!) – these are your cheesy meatballs

Meanwhile, combine the remaining balsamic vinegar with 2 tbsp [3 tbsp] [4 tbsp] olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper – this is your balsamic dressing

Slice your ciabatta[s] in half, then add to a baking tray and put in the oven for 1-2 min or until slightly toasted

Once slightly toasted, spread each slice with butter and top with the remaining garlic, then return to the oven for a further 3-4 min

Meanwhile, wash your lettuce, then pat it dry with kitchen paper and tear into large bite-sized pieces