This delicious potato meatball bake originated in France and has gone viral online during the lockdown period. It includes many common ingredients combined in a creative way and once you make it, it’s sure to become a staple.

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

• 1 lbs (450 g) ground beef
• ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup panko
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Lemon juice

For the cream sauce:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg

For the bake:

• 5 medium-sized Yukon gold potatoes, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped basil
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions

1. Make a basic béchamel sauce for use later in the recipe. First, get a medium saucepan and melt your butter over medium-low heat. Add in flour and stir it all up until it gets smooth. Keep cooking your mixture until it all turns a light golden color, for about six or seven minutes.
2. Make the meatballs by preheat oven to 350°F/180°C, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium-sized bowl, combine beef, onions, panko and egg. Mix to combine. Add salt, herbs and spices. Finish with lemon, and gently mix to combine. Divide into approximately 22 one-inch balls, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Allow to cool.
3. Make the sauce. In a small saucepan, melt butter and add flour. Continue to stir until flour darkens slightly. Slowly pour in milk and continue to stir on medium-low heat until mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper and allow to cool slightly while bake is assembled.
4. Assemble the bake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the bottom of cast-iron or round casserole dish with 4 sliced potatoes. Place meatballs on top. Alternating between potato and meatball, place around the outside edge of the casserole dish. They should fit pretty tightly around. Carefully spoon tomato sauce over meatballs. Top with chopped herbs. Carefully spoon cream sauce over meatballs and potatoes and top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until cheese and sauce are bubbling and the potatoes feel tender to the touch. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and serve immediately.