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Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

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Caraway Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara

This post was sponsored by Castello Havarti. Thank you for supporting brands that help support Maebells!

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

I get inspiration for recipes from lots of different sources. Sometimes I get an idea when I am at the grocery, or I see an interesting combination of ingredients on a menu. But there are also times when I can’t think of a darn thing! My go to resource when the creative juices just aren’t flowing is The Flavor Bible.

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

It is a book I am not sure how I ever lived without! It is different from other cookbooks in that it is more of a resource book than an actual cookbook. You look up an ingredient and it gives you a list of ingredients that pair well with that ingredient. Sometimes the suggestions are traditional and some are different and unexpected. For example, when I received this delicious Castello Havarti cheese with Caraway Seeds, Fennel, and Anise I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go. After doing a lot of taste testing and research I decided on meatballs made from scratch then dunked in marinara before smothering them with creamy Havarti.

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

The flavor combination of the ground pork, fennel, and Havarti with Caraway seeds paired with tangy marinara is delightful. It is the type of dish you would normally pair with mozzarella but using this spiced cheese instead takes the dish up a notch. I served the warm meatballs on grilled gluten free bread and topped with fresh basil. It was the perfect traditional comfort food dish with a new and unexpected twist!

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

Yields 4

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara

20 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

50 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Castello Havarti Cheese with Caraway Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt
  • 1 cup marinara
  • 1 cup shredded Castello Havarti Cheese with Caraway Seeds
  • 1/4 cup sliced basil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. Combine all of the ingredients for the meatballs and roll into small balls. Set aside.
  3. Heat a large cast iron skillet to medium low heat, add a teaspoon of olive oil or spray with cooking spray.
  4. Place the meatballs in the skillet (this may take 2 batches) and cook until browned on all sides, turning occasionally. This will take about 4 minutes.
  5. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain the grease.
  6. Add the marinara to the cast iron skillet, place the meatballs back in the skillet and top with the shredded cheese.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Top with basil.
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https://www.maebells.com/havarti-smothered-meatballs-marinara/

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

Havarti Smothered Meatballs and Marinara #castellohavarti

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Comments

  4. I love meatalls anyway I can get them. Yours look amazing with havarti inside and out! And you are so right about The Flavor Bible! I got one about 6 months ago and don't know how I lived without it!
    Reply

  5. I received the Flavor Bible for Christmas and I definitely haven't used it to its full potential...I think it will be good when I get 'cook's block', aka: no idea of what to make ;) These meatballs look just amazing, love all that havarti (I LOVE havarti!!), and the marinara...they look so delicious!
    Reply

    • Yes! It is great when the creative juices are just NOT flowing! Sometimes I have 10 million ideas and sometimes I have nothing! Nada! It is perfect for those times!
      Reply

  8. I have got to get the flavor bible! I love finding new and interesting flavor combinations. These havarti smothered meatballs sound delicious! I love that you serve them with crositinis. This would make an awesome meatball sandwich too!
    Reply

    • Yes! You need it! It does wonders for my creativity. All those times when I don't want to go to the grocery I look up whatever ingredients I have left and go from there lol!
      Reply

  13. I totally agree -- when in doubt, consult The Flavor Bible! These flavors sound so delicious, Annie, and I can tell that it would be huge hit here in my house. Pinned!
    Reply

  15. I loooove The Flavor Bible, and I use it all the time for inspiration! So many amazing flavor combos. These meatballs are calling my name. I love meatballs and with all that cheese...these are calling my name. Pinned!
    Reply

  17. I love The Flavor Bible!! It always comes to the rescue with recipe block! I will eat anything smothered in cheese, haha! I love meatballs because they are so good with pasta but also good enough to stand alone and eat on bread, like this. They look so good!!
    Reply

  20. I love that you turned them into little meatballs sliders with the cheese and toasty bread! And I think I need to get a copy of the flavor bible!
    Reply

  22. These meatballs looks so delicious! Perfect comfort food too! I've been loving The Flavor Bible too, can't thank you enough for recommending it. Pinned!
    Reply

  23. I can't get over these awesome meatballs. All I can think about is hosting a party now, so I can make a bunch and serve them on crostini just like that. Havarti is the cheese of choice around my house and hubby will be happy to have these anytime.
    Reply

    • That is so funny! When I was shooting these I thought "well gosh I wish I had someone to share these with, I need to throw a party!" They do make really cute little appetizers!
      Reply

  32. Look how you cooked up all that in your cast iron skillet!? Beautiful styling Annie! And Havarti cheese with all those herbs would be a mystery to me too. Like you, my flavor bible would have been the first thing I'd reach for. It is a cooks best companion for sure. I feel like it has changed the way I cook! I love it! :D
    Reply

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