Recipe of Meatballs in Tomato Sauce: Juicy Homemade Recipe

Ingredients

• 500 g ground meat (half beef, half pork)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or stale bread crumb)
• 1/4 cup milk (to soak the bread)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
• For the sauce: 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 400 g crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup beef stock or water
• For serving: grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley
• Optional: spaghetti, white rice or mashed potatoes as a side

Directions

1. 1

   Mix the meat with the egg, breadcrumbs, milk, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix just until combined: overworking the mixture makes the meatballs tough.

2. 2

   Shape the mixture into 3 cm meatballs (12-14 units) with slightly wet hands.

3. 3

   Heat the oil in a wide pot or skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs in batches, 4-5 minutes, turning them so they color evenly; remove and set aside.

4. 4

   In the same pot, sauté the onion 4-5 minutes until translucent; add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.

5. 5

   Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste (if using), oregano, bay leaf and stock; bring to a gentle simmer.

6. 6

   Cook the sauce 10 minutes over medium-low heat, until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld.

7. 7

   Add the meatballs to the sauce, cover and cook over low heat 15-20 minutes, until tender and the sauce has thickened; stir gently.

8. 8

   Taste and adjust salt and pepper; remove the bay leaf.

9. 9

   Serve hot topped with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley, alongside spaghetti, white rice or mashed potatoes.