Pork Meatball & Apple Bake

This one-pan wonder, cooked in Ooni’s cast iron Sizzler Pan, cuts through rich pork sausage meat with tart apple slices, and creates its own light gravy with a dash of apple cider.

 

Pork Meatball & Apple Bake
Quick and comforting, kick off a feast with our pork meatball and apple bake – using already seasoned sausage meat is an easy trick for cooking up a delicious starter. This one-pan wonder, cooked in Ooni’s cast iron Sizzler Pan, cuts through the rich pork meat with tart apple slices, and creates its own light gravy with a dash of apple cider while cooking.

Ingredients
3 large pork sausages
Olive oil
2 apples, cored & finely sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
100ml (½ cup) apple cider
4 sprigs of fresh thyme

Method
Preheat your Ooni pizza oven to 180°C (356°F). You can check the temperature inside your Ooni pizza oven quickly and easily using the Ooni Infrared Thermometer.

Split open the end of the sausage casing and squeeze out a bit of the sausage meat, then roll each portion into a meatball shape. Repeat this for each sausage.

Add a little olive oil to your Sizzler Pan, and place the pan inside your oven to preheat. This recipe can also be prepared using our Grizzler Pan or Skillet.

Add the garlic and the meatballs to the pan, arranging them evenly so they all have some contact with the pan.

Return the Sizzler to the oven and cook the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, or until the meatballs have started to brown. Be sure to turn the meatballs as they cook to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

Remove the pan from the oven and add the apple slices, tucking them in and around the meatballs. Add the sprigs of thyme and carefully pour over the cider.

Return the pan to the oven and cook for a further 7-10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the apples have softened. The cider will reduce and thicken slightly, leaving a delicious, light sauce to keep the meatballs moist.

Once cooked, remove the Sizzler from the oven and serve. The dish can be served right from the pan – use the Sizzler’s fitted wooden board to rest the hot pan on your dining table.