Transform simple ingredients into an impressive dinner with this quick and delicious Dutch-inspired gratin that combines seasoned meatballs, potatoes, and a rich mushroom sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 7-8 medium potatoes (approximately 1kg), thinly sliced
- 4 slices bread, crusts removed
- 100ml whole milk
- 500g mixed ground meat
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large egg
- 50g fresh spinach, chopped
- Fresh dill, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 30g butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 200g mozzarella cheese, grated
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Mushroom Sauce:
- 30g butter
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 300g mushrooms, sliced
- 30g all-purpose flour
- 200ml heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Quick Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C (fan-forced).
- Soak bread in milk; squeeze out excess.
- Mix ground meat, soaked bread, egg, garlic, spinach, and herbs.
- Form into small meatballs.
- Layer sliced potatoes in a baking dish, season well.
- Brown meatballs quickly in butter and oil.
- Make sauce: Sauté mushrooms, onions, and garlic in butter.
- Add flour, then cream, stirring until thickened.
- Layer meatballs over potatoes, pour sauce, top with mozzarella.
- Bake 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Slice potatoes very thinly for quick cooking
- Parboil potatoes for 3 minutes to ensure tenderness
- Use room temperature ingredients for even cooking
- Preheat the baking dish for faster cooking
Variations and Substitutions
- Use pre-cooked potatoes to save time
- Substitute mozzarella with Gouda or Edam
- Add pre-cooked vegetables between layers
- Use turkey mince for a lighter version
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Assemble up to 24 hours ahead
- Store leftovers up to 3 days refrigerated
- Can be frozen before baking for up to 1 month
- Reheat covered at 180°C until hot
FAQs
Q: Can I prepare components ahead?
A: Yes, slice potatoes (keep in water) and make meatballs ahead.
Q: How do I know it’s cooked through?
A: Potatoes should be tender when pierced with a knife.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Replace meatballs with mushroom or vegetable patties.
Q: Will it really cook in 15 minutes?
A: Yes, with thin potato slices and preheated oven.
Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6)
- Calories: 580
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
This quick-fix dinner proves that impressive doesn’t always mean time-consuming. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want to wow your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.