Layered Potatoes and Meatballs Casserole

Black pepper: ½ tsp
Shredded cheddar cheese: 1 cup (100 g)
Fresh thyme or parsley (for garnish): 2 tbsp
Optional Ingredients (for extra flavor):
Grated Parmesan: ¼ cup (for an extra cheesy topping)
Smoked paprika: ½ tsp for a smoky flavor
Sautéed mushrooms: 1 cup (add between potato layers)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the meatballs:
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well, then form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
Fry the meatballs:
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 5-6 minutes. They don’t need to be fully cooked as they will finish cooking in the oven. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Layer the potatoes:
Arrange half of the thinly sliced potatoes in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.