How to make Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: tomato puree

Fresh tomatoes can be healthier, while puree is often cheaper and easier to use.

red wine

🥗Healthier: grape juice

💰Cheaper: white wine

Grape juice provides flavor without alcohol, while white wine can be less expensive.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: oats

💰Cheaper: stale bread

Oats are healthier, while stale bread can be a cost-effective alternative.

Prepare the meatballs by seasoning the minced meat with a mixture of pork and beef.

Add grated onions, garlic, hot red peppers, salt, black pepper, and crushed mustard seeds to the minced meat.

Add eggs and mix properly.

Soak white bread in water, squeeze it out, and add it to the mixture.

Mix everything without overworking it, ensuring the white bread is properly incorporated.

Form the mixture into balls using your hands and set them aside.

Heat a pan with oil and fry the meatballs, ensuring not to crowd the pan.

Brown the outside of the meatballs without cooking them through, then set aside.

Sweat onions and garlic in a separate pan for about 1-2 minutes to make the tomato-based sauce.

Add flour to the onions and garlic and cook until slightly brown, not super dark.

Add tomato paste and fry for about 1-2 minutes.

Add blended tomatoes and paprika to the sauce and cook for a couple of minutes.

Add water or beef stock to the sauce and cook down.

Add the meatballs back into the sauce and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.

Add thyme and lemon basil for fragrance and flavor.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens