Go Back

Dinner for Two: Braised Meatballs, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Roasted Kale

Flavorful meatballs are braised in a delicious pan gravy and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and roasted kale! It's the perfect romantic meal for any special occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

For the meatballs

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup plain bread crumbs
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

For the gravy

  • 1 medium shallot minced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups chicken or beef stock
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

For the roasted garlic mashed potatoes

  • 4 large baking potatoes peeled and diced
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 8 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the roasted kale

  • 4 cups fresh chopped kale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • To make the meatballs, in a large bowl combine the ground meat, eggs, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano and garlic. Stir with your hands until evenly combined. Form the meat into small balls the size of golf balls (but a little bit smaller). Heat a large heavy duty pot over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and sear the meatballs in batches. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, or until crispy and golden brown and then flip over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and continue to cook the rest of the meatballs.
  • Once they've all been cooked, remove all but 1 tablespoon of olive oil from the pot. Add in the shallot and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes or until soft. Stir in the flour and cook for a minute. Slowly stream in, while whisking constantly, the chicken stock until the roux has dissolved completely. Lower the heat and cook until bubbly and thick. Season with a salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Lower the flame to as low as it'll go and return the meatballs to the pot, nestling them into the gravy. Simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes, semi-covered with a lid.
  • To make the potatoes, wrap the garlic cloves in foil with the olive oil and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Roast in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Place the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and return to pot. Add in the butter, buttermilk, salt, pepper, roasted garlic, and parmesan. Mash until smooth. Keep warm on the stove over low heat.
  • To make the kale, place the kale on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Spread out onto an even layer and roast for about 10 to 15 minutes or until charred and crispy.
  • To serve, spoon the potatoes onto the plates and top with the roasted kale. Place a few meatballs on top of the kale and spoon over with gravy. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley on top. Enjoy!

Notes

yield: 2 servings (plus leftovers)
Author: The Candid Appetite