Minced meat dinosaur with vegetable filling

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 kg minced meat, mixed or to taste
• 1 small can of peas and carrots, approx. 100 – 200 g
• 1 can Pizza tomatoes, approx. 400 g
• 1 small onion(s)
• 1 small bell pepper(s)
• 1 pack of gratin cheese, approx. 150 – 200 g
• 3 tbsp herb cream cheese
• salt and pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp, sautéed nutmeg
• 1 small bunch of parsley
• 1 small bunch of chives
• some butter
• 1 small bunch of basil
• ½ pack of tomatoes, pureed, approx. 250 g
• 150 ml water
• 4 tbsp mustard

Instructions

Working time approx. 20 minutes; Cooking/baking time approx. 45 minutes; Total time approx. 1 hour 5 minutes

Easy and quick to make, ideal food for children

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a deep baking sheet (or a greased baking dish) or a large casserole dish with parchment paper. For the vegetable filling, dice the bell peppers and onions. Drain the peas and carrots. Heat a little butter in a pan, add the vegetables, and fry lightly. Then add the pizza tomatoes and cream cheese and simmer with the lid closed for 5 minutes. Knead the ground meat with the eggs, parsley, chives, mustard, salt, and pepper until well-seasoned and smooth. Form a dinosaur from 2/3 of the ground meat mixture on the baking sheet. It’s important that the “wall” of the dinosaur is about 3-5 cm high and about 1-2 cm thick (because the vegetable filling has to fit inside). The type of dinosaur you make is up to you, but the legs, neck, etc., shouldn’t be too narrow/thin to allow for some filling. I made a long neck. Once the dinosaur is prepared, sprinkle in some breadcrumbs to absorb any liquid. Add the vegetable filling (if you want to reduce the liquid beforehand, strain the filling and collect it so the liquid isn’t wasted). Once the dinosaur is filled to the brim, spread the remaining minced meat on top. Ideally, do this so that it forms a closed lid. Gently press the minced meat together at the edges to seal the meatloaf. Place in the oven for about 25 minutes, then sprinkle the cheese on top of the dinosaur for a delicious cheese crust and bake for another 10 minutes. Shortly before the end of the cooking time, return the pan with the reserved liquid to the stove, pour in the passata and 4-5 tablespoons of water. Bring to a boil, season again with spices, and finally sprinkle with chopped basil. Serve this delicious sauce with the dinosaur.