Description
Savory Italian-style Meatballs dance with rich tomato sauce, bringing classic Mediterranean comfort to dinner tables. Packed with herbs, these tender meat parcels promise a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
- 1/2 pound (225 grams) ground pork
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 can (28 ounces/794 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Craft compact, uniform meatballs approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat (around 350°F), carefully positioning meatballs to achieve a golden-brown exterior, rotating periodically for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer browned meatballs to a separate plate, maintaining their warmth and preserving their crisp exterior.
- Using the identical skillet, introduce additional olive oil and gently sauté onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for roughly 30 seconds without burning.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, integrating dried basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Delicately reintroduce meatballs into the simmering sauce, covering the skillet and allowing them to cook thoroughly for 20-25 minutes.
- Finish the dish by garnishing with fresh basil leaves and serving immediately alongside pasta or crusty bread.
Notes
- Bind ingredients thoroughly to prevent meatballs from falling apart during cooking, using gentle mixing techniques without overworking the meat.
- Create uniform meatball sizes using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon for consistent cooking and professional appearance.
- Consider substituting ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for lighter, diet-friendly versions that maintain similar flavor profiles.
- Enhance sauce depth by adding a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during simmering for complex, rich undertones.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg