Homemade Meatballs and Sauce

These homemade meatballs are the epitome of comfort food—tender, juicy, and irresistibly delicious! Whether you're planning a family dinner or a special gathering, these meatballs, simmered to perfection in a homemade herb-infused tomato sauce, will steal the spotlight. Serve them with pasta or enjoy them in a crusty sandwich for a meal that's sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

Meatballs:
🐄 2 pounds ground beef
🍞 1 cup bread crumbs
🥛 1 cup whole milk
🧅 1 large onion, grated
🌿 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley
🧄 4 cloves garlic, minced
🧀 1 cup grated pecorino romano or Parmesan
🥚 2 eggs
🧂 1/2 tablespoon salt
⚫️ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:
🫒 1/4 cup olive oil
🧅 1 large shallot, diced
🧄 8 cloves garlic, minced
🌿 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
🌿 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil
🍅 28oz can crushed tomatoes
🍅 28oz can peeled plum tomatoes
🧂 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
⚫️ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1- Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).

2- Prepare the Meatballs:

• In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs and milk. Let them sit for a minute until the crumbs absorb the liquid.
• Add ground beef, grated onion, chopped parsley, minced garlic, pecorino romano, beaten eggs, salt, and black pepper. Mix with your hands until combined, without over-mixing.
• Use a large ice cream scoop to portion out the mixture and shape into meatballs. Place them evenly on a prepared baking sheet. You should get 15-18 meatballs.

3- Cook the Meatballs:

• Place the meatballs in the oven's middle-high position and cook for 13-15 minutes.

4- Prepare the Sauce:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the shallot and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in chopped parsley and basil. Add peeled plum tomatoes, crushing them with a wooden spoon. Incorporate crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.

5- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce:

• Gently add the cooked meatballs to the sauce, ensuring they are fully covered.
• Lower the heat and cover the pot. Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring every 20 minutes.

6- Serve:

• Once done, serve over your pasta of choice or in a sandwich. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Calories per Serving: Approx. 450
Macronutrients per Serving: Protein: 30g, Fats: 25g, Carbohydrates: 20g
Equipment: Large mixing bowl, large pot or Dutch oven, large ice cream scoop, baking sheet

Cooking Tips:

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender before adding the meatballs.

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Homemade Meatballs in Herb-Infused Tomato Sauce