Cheesy Meatball and Garlic Bread Bake

1. Preparation Step

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a mixing bowl, combine turkey mince, oregano, fennel seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well. Shape the mixture into walnut-sized balls.

2. Browning the Meatballs

In a large, shallow, ovenproof pan, heat ¾ tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. They don't need to be cooked through at this stage. Once browned, remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside on a plate.

3. Creating the Sauce

In the same pan, add the remaining ¾ tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 10-12 minutes, stirring regularly. Mix in the crushed garlic and cook for an additional minute, then stir in the tomato purée, canned chopped tomatoes, and sugar. Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

4. Assembling the Bake

Arrange the meatballs on top of the sauce in the pan. Scatter torn mozzarella and garlic bread pieces over the meatballs. Finally, sprinkle with the grated cheddar cheese.

5. Baking

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crisp.