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