Baked Pork Meatballs and Potatoes

This is comfort food.  It's easy, delicious and quite filling. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

For Meatballs:

-1/2 cup uncooked white rice

-2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

-1 onion, finely chopped

-1 carrots, peeled and finely shredded

-1.5 lbs ground pork

-2 tsp salt

-1 tsp pepper

-1/2 tsp garlic powder

Potatoes:

-1.5 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut into thin rounds

-1 tsp salt

-1 tsp pepper

For Sauce:

-1 1/2 cups water

-1/4 cup heavy cream

-2 Tbs tomato paste

-salt and pepper, to taste

For Topping:

-1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Quickly boil the rice, drain and place in large bowl.

In a large pan, heat the oil and add the chopped onion and finely shredded carrot. Saute, stirring occasionally for 5-7 minutes or until the veggies are soft and golden brown.  Carefully pour over cooked rice.  Add remaining ingredients for meatballs and mix very well, using your hands.

Coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Make meatballs out of pork mixture and place in prepared pan. Add the potato round in between meatballs.  Season top of potatoes and meatballs with the salt and pepper.  

Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.

While that's baking, whisk all ingredients for the sauce.

After 15 minutes, remove pan from oven (keep the oven on). Discard the foil.  Pour sauce all over the dish. 

Place dish back in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 25-30 more minutes. 

Remove from oven and quickly sprinkle the cheese on top.  Bake for 5 more minutes.

Remove from oven, scoop onto plates and enjoy!