Description
Savory Italian meatballs dance in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce that whispers tales of Mediterranean kitchens. Carefully crafted with love and tradition, these tender morsels invite you to savor authentic flavors that comfort and delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 large egg
Cheese and Dairy:
- ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) milk
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- ½ cup (50 grams) breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces/800 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Gently moisten breadcrumbs with milk in a compact vessel, allowing them to absorb liquid and transform into a soft, pliable texture.
- Combine ground beef with the milk-infused breadcrumbs, integrating egg, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, aromatic herbs like oregano and basil, subtle heat from red pepper flakes, and seasoning.
- Thoroughly blend ingredients using gentle hand movements, ensuring even distribution without overworking the meat mixture.
- Craft uniform spherical meatballs by rolling the mixture between palms, maintaining consistent size around 1-1.5 inches in diameter for consistent cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for searing meatballs.
- Carefully place meatballs into the hot pan, allowing each to develop a golden-brown exterior through gentle rotation, which seals in delectable flavors.
- Pour prepared tomato sauce around and over the meatballs, reducing heat to a gentle simmer that allows ingredients to harmonize.
- Cover the skillet, allowing meatballs to cook slowly and absorb rich tomato sauce essence, approximately 15-20 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Verify internal meat temperature reaches 160°F using a reliable meat thermometer to ensure safe consumption.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan for an authentic Italian presentation.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef with around 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful meatballs that won’t become dry or tough during cooking.
- Gently mix ingredients to prevent overworking the meat, which can make meatballs dense and compact instead of tender and light.
- Use fresh herbs if possible, as they provide more vibrant and intense flavor compared to dried herbs, elevating the overall taste of the dish.
- Allow meatballs to rest for a few minutes after cooking to help them retain moisture and develop a more cohesive texture before serving in tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 80mg