Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce

Ready to impress your dinner guests and trick them into thinking you’ve spent hours in the kitchen? Enter: Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce—a dish so full of flavor and flair, it practically demands applause. However, spoiler alert: it’s incredibly easy.

Let’s start with the meatballs. Ground beef forms the base, but it’s not alone. Oh no. We’re tossing in finely diced shallots, nutty Grana Padano cheese (like Parmigiano’s chill cousin), and—wait for it—panko breadcrumbs. What’s the deal with panko? These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are lighter, crispier, and fluffier than your average crumb. They don’t just bind your meatballs; they elevate them. Think of them as breadcrumbs with personality. That extra crunch? That’s the panko magi they add to these Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce.

After forming the meatballs, sear them on all sides in a generous puddle of extra virgin olive oil. Don’t skimp. This is where flavor is born. Then, once browned and gorgeous, set those beauties aside.

Now for the sauce part in these Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce. Toss some shallot rings into the same pan with the yummy drippings from the meatballs. Let them sizzle until transparent. Then throw in a generous amount of briny olives—green or black, or both – your choice. Add a splash (or a generous glug) of white wine. Suddenly, your kitchen smells like a rustic villa in Tuscany. Season with kosher salt, cracked pepper, and a cheeky pinch or two of sugar to balance things out.

Return the meatballs to the pan and let them cook to tender perfection. Toss them lovingly, like you’re auditioning for a cooking show. Plate them with the magic olive sauce and prepare for dramatic gasps.

What to serve on the side?

Fluffy couscous, creamy polenta, or a chunk of crusty bread to mop up every drop. On the other hand, try roasted zucchini or a peppery arugula salad.

Fancy, flavorful, and secretly simple. That’s Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce. Your weeknight dinner game just got a standing ovation.

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Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce

Course Main Course

Cuisine Amercian

Keyword Easy recipes, meatball recipe, Olive Sauce, Olive shallot sauce, Olive Wine Sauce

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Servings 4

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 4 shallots
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 egg
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Grana Padano cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1+ 1/2 cups mixed pitted olive varieties
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Pinch of sugar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

1. Peel and dice two of the shallots.
2. Peel and cut the other two into rings.
3. Roughly chop the olives.
4. Beat the egg
5. Mix the ground beef, diced onions, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, and cheese.
6. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
7. Form into balls.
8. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
9. Sear the meatballs on all sides and remove from the pan.
10. Turn the heat down to medium
11. Add the onion rings to the pan. Sauté until transparent.
12. Add the olives and sauté for a few minutes.
13. Stir in the wine.
14. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste.
15. Simmer for 5 minutes.
16. Transfer the meatballs back to the pan
17. Turn them frequently until they are cooked through.
18. Sprinkle the thyme over the top and cook for another
19. Transfer the meatballs to the olive sauce and cook, turning frequently, until they are cooked through.
20. Season with salt and pepper.
21. Plate and serve.

So, do you like these Cheesy Meatballs in Olive Sauce? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:

MEATBALLS IN PUMPKIN CREAM

CHILI CRISP PEANUT MEATBALLS

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN YOGURT SAUCE