Croatian Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 1 cup breadcrumbs 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) beef or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 15g (Sugar: 4g)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
5. 5.
   Add the diced tomatoes, paprika, and broth to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine.
6. 6.
   Return the meatballs to the skillet, making sure they are submerged in the tomato sauce. Cover the skillet and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
7. 7.
   Serve the meatballs in tomato sauce hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Use a mixture of lean and fatty cuts to achieve a balance of flavor and moisture in the meatballs.
• Fresh parsley — If you don't have fresh parsley, you can substitute with dried parsley, but reduce the amount by half.
• Ripe tomatoes — Choose tomatoes that are firm and ripe for the best flavor. If fresh tomatoes are not available, you can use canned diced tomatoes as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika to the meatball mixture.
• If the tomato sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to thin it out.
• To make the meatballs ahead of time, you can shape them and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, you can add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the tomato sauce.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian meatballs in tomato sauce hot, garnished with fresh parsley. They pair well with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs in a shallow serving dish, with the tomato sauce generously spooned over them. Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley for a pop of color.