Homemade Meatballs and Sauce
These meatballs are incredibly tender and juicy—perfect for any occasion! These meatballs are not only delicious but also super easy to make. You can serve them with pasta or even in sandwiches for a hearty meal. Trust me, your family will love them! Simmered in my homemade sauce takes them to the next level.
——Meatball Ingredients——
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 Ingredients——
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
1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Meatballs— In a large bowl combine the bread crumbs and milk together. Let set for a minutes until the bread crumbs soak up all the liquid.
3. Add in the ground beef, grated onion, chopped parsley, minced garlic, pecorino romano, beaten eggs, salt and black pepper. Use your hands to mix until combined but don’t over mix.
4. Use a large ice cream scoop to measure out the meatballs then roll it into a ball. Evenly space them on the prepared baking sheet. This should yield 15-18 meatballs.
5. Transfer the meatballs to the middle-high position in the oven. Cook for about 13-15 minutes.
6. Make 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.
7. Stir in the parsley and basil. Next add in the plum tomatoes and crush them with a wooden spoon or a meat masher. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. And bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
8. Transfer all the meatballs into the sauce and give it a gentle stir. Make sure the meatballs are covered in the sauce.
9. Turn the heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour. Stirring every 20 minutes.
10. Once done serve over any type pasta of choice or in a sandwich. When serving garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil and enjoy.
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Homemade meatballs paired with a well-crafted sauce are a classic comfort food that brings warmth and satisfaction to any table. In my experience, the key to tender and juicy meatballs lies in the balance of ingredients and gentle mixing. For instance, soaking the bread crumbs in whole milk before combining with the meat helps keep the meatballs moist during cooking. Using grated onion adds subtle sweetness and moisture, while fresh parsley and garlic give the meatballs a fresh, aromatic flavor. For the sauce, sautéing shallots and garlic in olive oil until translucent forms an aromatic base that elevates the crushed and plum tomatoes. Incorporating fresh herbs like basil and parsley not only enhances the flavor complexity but also gives the sauce a bright, garden-fresh note. Crushing the tomatoes yourself allows control over texture, making the sauce hearty enough to cling to the meatballs and pasta. Simmering meatballs in the sauce for 45 minutes to an hour ensures that flavors meld together beautifully and that the meatballs remain tender. This slow simmer is essential to transform the dish from simply cooked meatballs into a rich, velvety meal. Serving suggestions vary—these meatballs and sauce are excellent over spaghetti or any favorite pasta, but they can also be transformed into a delicious sandwich filling topped with cheese and fresh basil. From a personal standpoint, I find adding a sprinkle of pecorino romano or Parmesan cheese just before serving adds a perfect salty tang that complements the sweetness of the sauce. If you'd like to customize your meatballs, you can experiment with different seasonings such as Italian herbs or add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the mix for enhanced nutrition and texture. Also, using a mix of ground meats, such as beef and pork, can add deeper flavor and juiciness. Overall, the process is straightforward, making it an ideal recipe for both beginner and experienced cooks looking to create a satisfying meal with fresh, wholesome ingredients at home.
😊 thank you