Italian-style Meatballs with 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
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 5g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and eggs. 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 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 crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet. 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 about 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
7. 7.
   Serve the meatballs with the tomato sauce, garnished with fresh basil leaves. They can be enjoyed on their own, with pasta, or with crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Use lean ground meat for healthier meatballs. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can use a combination of lean and fatty meat.
• Parmesan cheese — Grate the Parmesan cheese fresh for the best flavor. Avoid using pre-grated cheese as it may contain additives that affect the texture of the meatballs.
• Fresh parsley — Finely chop the parsley to evenly distribute its flavor throughout the meatballs.
• Canned crushed tomatoes — Look for high-quality crushed tomatoes without added sugar or preservatives for the best taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce while simmering the meatballs.
• If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture.
• To make the meatballs more tender, soak the breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes before adding them to the mixture.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought marinara sauce instead of making the tomato sauce from scratch.
• Leftover meatballs can be frozen and reheated for a quick and convenient meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Italian-style meatballs with a side of al dente spaghetti or crusty bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs in a shallow serving dish, spooning the tomato sauce over them. Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves on top for an attractive presentation.