Meatballs in tomato sauce is a classic comfort dish, great for serving with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. Here's an easy recipe to make juicy, flavorful meatballs and a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
For the Tomato Sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil (or 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Make the Meatballs:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well but don’t overwork the mixture.
- Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter (you can make them larger or smaller depending on preference).
2. Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan) and brown them on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. They don’t need to be fully cooked at this point.
- Once browned, remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
3. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In the same skillet (with the meatball drippings), add a bit more olive oil if necessary and sauté the chopped onion until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
4. Add the Meatballs to the Sauce:
- Gently place the browned meatballs into the simmering tomato sauce. Cover and cook for an additional 20-25 minutes, allowing the meatballs to finish cooking and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
5. Serve:
- Serve the meatballs and sauce over pasta, rice, or with a side of crusty bread. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Enjoy your delicious meatballs in a savory, homemade tomato sauce!
