Fabio's Kitchen: Episode 3, "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.

Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

Add a spoon of minced garlic and finely chopped onion to the pot and cook until fragrant.

Chop fresh basil and parsley, then set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked onion and garlic, chopped herbs, 1 egg, bread crumbs, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, and a generous amount of ricotta cheese.

Mix in 80/20 ground beef quickly to avoid overworking it.

Form the mixture into meatballs, about the size of a golf ball, using olive oil on your hands to prevent sticking.

Add the marinara sauce to the pot and gently place the meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they are submerged.

Increase the heat to medium and cover the pot, cooking for 25 to 30 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens