Eggplant & Blue Cheese Meatballs

Eggplant & Blue Cheese Meatballs 

1 lb. ground sirloin
8 oz. marinara sauce
6 oz. smoked blue cheese
2 Tbs. fresh rosemary
sea salt and pepper
1 large eggplant

 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Stab the eggplant multiple times with a fork. Wrap in foil and roast for about 45 minutes, until super soft. 

Meanwhile, mix together the ground meat with about 4 oz. of the smoked blue cheese, and generous amounts of sea salt and pepper. Form into golf-ball-sized meatballs.

Place into an oven-safe baking pan and cover with the marinara sauce, along with fresh rosemary. 

Bake for about 40 minutes, until completely cooked.

 

Once the eggplant is cool enough to handle, slice lengthwise and allow the steam to escape. 

Drain and liquid by squeezing each half over the sink. **Really squeeze out as much water as possible – eggplant has so much moisture!

Remove the flesh from the skin and mash with a fork with salt and pepper, or puree in a blender or food processor.

Return the eggplant puree to the skins and fill with the cooked meatballs and sauce.

 

Sprinkle with the remaining blue cheese and fresh rosemary.